STUART McCall has warned City there can be no hangover from their double dose of Christmas misery.

Peterborough's 3-1 win at Valley Parade yesterday made it successive defeats over the holiday period.

The Bantams are still fifth but their advantage in the League One play-off places has been reduced to four points ahead of another double weekend against Oxford and Fleetwood.

McCall said: "The players can't let it linger. We have got to be fresh when we come out again on Saturday.

"I'm not big on stats or records – it's reactions. It was a tricky game on the back of Wimbledon but we didn't cope with their threats well enough.

"We can't affect what's happened now. It's how we react. We're in again tomorrow and I don't want anyone's head on the ground. We are up and at 'em.

"We're halfway through the season and have put ourselves in a good position. We'll just crack on and try to amass as many points as we can. It's about what happens come the end of the season and where you are then."

McCall admitted City left themselves too much to do after a poor first half which saw Peterborough lead 2-0. The home side applied pressure after the break but were caught out by a third goal before Paul Taylor smacked a late consolation.

The Bantams boss said: "For me, Peterborough have the best front three in the league. But we were aware of that and we didn't handle them well enough in the first half.

"Once you go a goal or two behind, it played into their hands even more because they are a counter-attacking side; quick and good quality.

"It was similar to Fleetwood (at home) when we had to come forward and left gaps. We didn't defend well enough and deal with their threats that we knew were coming.

"We told the players at half-time to show pride in the shirt and keep going, regardless of the score.

"I thought we got at them second half and played with the desire we asked for. The supporters also stayed with us.

"We were camped in their half for the first 25 minutes and had two or three good chances to make it 2-1 but didn't take them. Then we lost a sloppy goal which killed the game.

"We know we need to get back on the winning trail but you go through these little spells. It's down to a bit of character from all of us to come out fighting."

Nathaniel Knight-Percival is likely to be ready for Oxford's visit at the weekend after being named on the bench.

McCall said: "We were struggling for bodies and Nat was only there in case we were ahead with 15 minutes left and needed to go to three at the back.

"He's not done enough in the short period of time to be pain free and not be a risk. But he's in today and I'm pretty positive he will train with us tomorrow and Friday and be available for Saturday's game."