Manager Paul Jewell gave his players a verbal lashing after Bradford City weakly capitulated in a 2-0 defeat at Bury yesterday in what he described as a 'scandalous' performance.

He said: "I know Bury are fighting for their lives, but it doesn't matter where you are in the league, the players are getting well paid.

"But if we paid them on performances they would not get paid at all after that - in fact, they would owe the club money," he said.

And Jewell, who is in charge of the team until the end of the season, indicated that if he gets the job on a permanent basis, some of the players would not be at Valley Parade next season if they produced that sort of performance.

He said he told the players it didn't matter who is in charge if they played like that they would not be at the club next season.

Jewell, who recalled that he had apologised to supporters after City's second half performance which ended in a 3-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers last month, said: "I am embarrassed. The team should reflect the manager, but that wasn't me out there. I wouldn't even call it a performance - it wasn't acceptable.

"I know we were beaten by Nottingham Forest at Valley Parade two days before, but we were beaten in the correct manner. I know we have got injury problems, but whatever team puts the jerseys on should give 100 per cent. Unfortunately, that was not the case at Bury".

Jewell also apologised to the 1,500 City supporters who had made the trip over the Pennines and had 'paid good money' to follow their team.

The Gigg Lane pitch, which is also used by Manchester United Reserves and Swinton Rugby League Club, was one of the worst City have experienced all season, but Jewell said: "The pitch is not an excuse."

Defender Andrew O'Brien - one of the few players to emerge with any credit - said: "It was disappointing. Even though we didn't have a lot to play for, we are playing for points. I blame myself for the first goal and when they scored the second goal the game was virtually over."

In contrast, Bury's win was another step towards their safety target, and manager Stan Ternent - a former No 2 at Valley Parade - said: "It was a fantastic team performance. I think we thoroughly deserved the victory and it might have been by more goals. I thought we murdered them."

City are hoping for a big crowd when their youth side play Leeds United in the Northern Inter-mediate League Cup final at Valley Parade tonight (7.00).

Victory in the cup final will give City a great chance of a league and cup double. They are well placed in the league and have matches in hand over their main rivals.

They will go into the final with confidence, having beaten Leeds twice in the league this season, but cannot be complacent because United also have a fine crop of young players and reached the semi-final of The Times FA Youth Cup before losing to Everton 3-1 on aggregate.

City reached the final by beating Rotherham, Doncaster and Newcastle United. Admission is £2 adults, £1 children.

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