EOIN Doyle reckons pulling off the great escape with City would be the high point of his football life.

Gary Bowyer’s winning start against Peterborough at Valley Parade has revived hopes that the Bantams can still clamber out of the League One drop zone.

A first victory in six games did not lift them above 23rd spot but it cut the gap to fifth-bottom Shrewsbury to four points.

And Doyle, who fired the second goal in the 3-1 win, can still sense a memorable end to this troubled campaign.

He said: “If we can turn this around, then it will be the biggest achievement I have had in my career.

“When I first came in last summer, it felt like this might be a promotion season with the squad we had on paper.

“But as the season went on, things went terribly wrong. There were ups and downs and all sorts going on.

“The Saturdays when we have lost are tough. You go home, hoping the kids have gone to bed already because you don’t want to take it out on them.

“Now though, it feels to be turning around. As a club and as a team, it honestly feels to be the case.

“This club is in a false position for its stature. Onwards and upwards, please.”

Bowyer made a big call by leaving out Jack Payne as he played Jacob Butterfield in a more advanced role. The on-loan Derby midfielder responded with his best performance in a City shirt and scored the opener.

City’s new boss insisted there was nothing personal behind his reasoning for benching playmaker Payne.

“We’ve got a squad and I said to everybody we will be making decisions,” he said.

“It’s nothing personal and will change from game to game with the personnel we see fit we think can do a job.

“Jermaine Anderson came in and gave something different in terms of the energy and size that he had. The way he went about it to last the full 90 was terrific.”

Bowyer praised the Valley Parade crowd for creating a “positive energy” for the team. Doyle admitted it has been a tough watch for the supporters this season.

He added: “The fans have not been happy and rightly so. If I was a fan of the club, I would be doing the same. The season has been a tough one but it feels to be turning.

“You could see from the noise the fans generated just what a lift the win has given everyone.

“They really lifted us. It feels like something is changing.

“The new manager has worked hard all week to instil confidence in us and tell us how good we are.

“He came in with some guidance and a good plan to get the result and it worked.

“We have ability out there on the pitch, we ran some hard miles. We executed well and deserved the win.”

Kelvin Mellor and Calum Woods will both miss tomorrow’s home clash with Luton after limping off in the first-half. But Doyle believes City can face the leaders with real conviction.

“This is a big week. After the Peterborough result we have to go into the next one with confidence.

“I doubt we were on many betting slips (on Saturday) and I doubt we will be again against Luton, either. But we will definitely go in looking to win.

“Anyone could get dragged in (to the relegation zone) now. Hopefully, we can get out.”