HARRY Pritchard has urged City not to get anxious in their search for more goals.

Gary Bowyer’s side head into Christmas in fifth spot following a frustrating 1-1 draw with Salford at Valley Parade.

The Bantams spurned a string of chances and were made to pay after the visitors equalised from their only shot on target.

They have not scored more than once in the last eight games now and Pritchard, who fired his third goal of the season, stressed it requires a team effort to put that straight.

He said: “Everyone needs to chip in with the goals, we can’t be just relying on one or two people. Defenders could have scored a couple (on Saturday).

“Sometimes you are trying too hard and shooting well off target.

“You need that bit of luck as well. If it’s going for you, deflections here and there go in. But there were a few that went out for corners.

“We’re all scratching our heads. When you have 26 shots and 70 per cent possession, you expect to be winning those games.

“We could have been 3-0 up at half-time. But that’s football.

“I would be worried if we weren’t creating chances. But we are and now it’s just a case of taking them.”

Gary Bowyer will carry out a head count at training today after the stomach bug that has swept through the squad.

James Vaughan and Adam Henley were late withdrawals while Callum Cooke, Ben Richards-Everton and Connor Wood all played with symptoms. Zeli Ismail was also suffering on the bench.

Pritchard added: “I haven’t got the bug but there’s been a few players and staff members with it, which hasn't helped.

“But people are going to get it at this time of year. We’ve got a big enough squad with good enough players if we need to replace anyone.”

Bowyer revealed he hadn’t told the team his starting line-up on Saturday until 1.30pm because he was still checking on who was okay to play.

“It was probably one of the first times as a manager I’ve had to do it for that reason and had so many drop out with illness,” he said.

“Hopefully it will pass in time for Boxing Day. We’ve got to make sure that they look after themselves.”

The draw was City’s third in four games as they prepare for the trip to Carlisle on Thursday.

Bowyer added: “They are a real honest bunch who work very hard and there was an air of frustration.

“They’ll get over that. We’ll go through it with them today and identify all the positives.

“Some of the play was terrific. It was just that last little bit.”