DAVID Hopkin delivered some "home truths" to City after today's costly 3-2 defeat at 10-man Walsall left them stuck in League One's relegation zone.

The Bantams had a man advantage over their hosts for nearly the whole game after striker Andy Cook's sixth-minute dismissal.

But after scoring first through Eoin Doyle, they finished empty-handed. Skipper Anthony O'Connor levelled in the second half but two goals from Josh Gordon and another from Joe Edwards ended Walsall's five-game losing run.

The loss leaves City second from bottom as the gap to safety increased to three points.

Hopkin said: "We had all the ball and have conceded some really poor goals. Some of the players need to start taking responsibility.

“Me, my staff and everybody are working as hard as we can to make sure we remain in League One. I’ve told the players a few home truths that they need to start giving me something back and the fans.”

The Bantams boss was furious with the manner of Walsall's goals, especially after City had got off to such a flying start.

He added: “We started the game on the front foot and obviously Walsall went down to 10 men early.

“We score and could have had two or three more. Then we switch off just before half-time and give a really poor goal away.

“We’re five minutes away from half-time, you kill the game and go in 1-0 up.

“But we don’t and then before you know it we’ve conceded two free headers for a second goal. Then the third we give away is equally poor.

“We need to deal better with the delivery. It’s shoulder height and then it’s a flick from the smallest player on the pitch.

“I thought only one team would go on and win it when we got back to 2-2. But that’s what happens.

“We’ve had so many shots but they’ve got blocks in, several of them from a yard.”