JON Stead wants to keep a "magical" season alive by helping City pull some big results out of the hat over Easter.

Tonight's Yorkshire derby at Doncaster has gained added significance after the Bantams slipped to their seventh home defeat of the season in midweek.

Phil Parkinson's side also face second-placed Preston on Monday as they look to stay the pace in the pack chasing the final play-off spots.

Stead's second loan spell at Valley Parade has already hit the heights as joint-top scorer in the FA Cup, including goals in the giant-killing wins over Chelsea and Sunderland.

And the veteran is desperate to top off a memorable campaign with an equally dramatic finish.

Stead said: "No-one wants the season to fizzle out, not after how it has gone. I'd personally have been devastated if we were sitting in lower mid-table and had nothing to play for.

"That would have taken the gloss off such a magical season for the club. We are buzzing for the run-in and want to go for it.

"Easter is usually a time when you think 'in two or three games, we will know what is going to happen'. But that isn't going to be the case this year; not at all.

"It is going to go all the way to the final game and I, for one, will be buzzing if that happens. They are the kind of occasions we all want to be involved in."

City head to the Keepmoat one point ahead of Paul Dickov's Rovers and three off the League One play-offs. But there is no breathing space as only four points separate the seven teams from sixth downwards.

Stead said: "We do look at things game-by-game and see where it takes us. That has to be our mentality. We are also up against teams in and around us, so we can't look too far ahead.

"I would say we are looking at ten or 11 teams hoping to get there (in the top six). That is why we can only look at each game.

"I can't remember a season where so many teams still have a genuine chance. But I think that is just the way the leagues in general are going.

"Anyone can beat anyone and that is why football is becoming such a difficult game. It is becoming difficult to get out of a division – but I do believe we have put ourselves in a good position."

Filipe Morais is back from suspension but Parkinson must again do without the injured Andrew Davies.

Stead, who scored his first goal back at City in the home loss to Doncaster five months ago, is confident the squad can rise to the challenge of another quick turnaround in their frantic schedule.

He said: "It is hectic but we love playing games. That is our job and if we can get a couple of results, building up momentum, then that can carry us through.

"The bits of squad rotation we have done lately have worked and been beneficial for everyone. The lads who have come in have done well.

"Easter is a time when some teams will look like being relegated, others will look like going up and then there will be a few fighting to get in there.

"In our case this year, there is going to be a lot of us fighting (for the play-offs). You can't predict results because of that.

"It is definitely an important period and after the busy season we have had so far, it's one when if we can really focus well, we'll give ourselves a massive chance.

"It does help to play teams also involved. Taking three points off them can make a big difference.

"The run-in is tough and that's why we need to pick up some points over Easter to set ourselves up and give us a chance of being in and amongst it."