TIMOTHEE Dieng has urged the Valley Parade faithful not to panic over City's wobble.

The Bantams have picked up only one point in three games after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Charlton – the third time they have lost at home this season.

Yet they remain firmly in the play-off mix and Dieng insists there should be no cause for concern.

The midfielder said: "The fans shouldn't be worried because we have good players and good character.

"We are still third – I think we've used our joker to stay there. But now we must focus on the next game and make sure that we win it."

Dieng started his first game for two months as he replaced suspended skipper Romain Vincelot.

City were also missing injured trio Adam Chicksen, Paul Taylor and Dominic Poleon – but Tony McMahon could be back for next weekend's trip to Portsmouth.

Dieng said: "The conditions were tough because it was so windy and the rain. But that's England – you have to be used to that.

"It was a big battle, especially in the middle of the park. But I think we were the better team and it was a harsh result against us. We deserved at least a point.

"We dominated them in the second half. It proved even with big players missing like Macca, Romain and Chicks that we have a quality squad."

City were fuming about the build-up to Charlton's goal. Ricky Holmes appeared to run the ball out of play but the throw-in was given the visitors' way.

The Bantams switched off and were punished by Jake Forster-Caskey's close-range finish.

Dieng admitted: "It should have been our throw-in. The ball was clearly out but the referee didn't see it.

"But referees are human and they are going to make mistakes. We have to deal with that."

City's defeat at Bury the previous week began with a hotly-disputed penalty and Stuart McCall felt they were on the wrong end of another harsh call.

"We didn't say much about last Saturday's decision and the penalty that cost us," said the City boss.

"But the linesman has missed a blatant one where the ball's gone out of play. We've stopped and switched off for the cross.

"I've got to be honest, I didn't see it because I switched off as well. I turned round and next minute, the cross came in.

"I don't want to harp on. It's a decision that's ultimately cost us – but we've still got to do better when they do take the throw-in.

"Having said that, I thought the second-half performance was very strong and we gave it a good go. That gives us encouragement with the players we had missing.

"You can't cry about that. We knew the situation before the game and I'd possibly have taken a point then.

"If not for a couple of outstanding goalkeeping saves, we would have definitely got something. The players we had gave everything."

On-loan Brentford left back Tom Field came in for the injured Chicksen but had to be subbed after 73 minutes because of cramp.

McCall said: "Tom said after an hour that he wouldn't be able to make the full 90 minutes on a heavy pitch. We didn't want to risk an injury, so he had to come off."