STUART McCall admitted it was a “point that slipped away” after City left Leyton Orient empty-handed.

The 1-0 defeat dropped the Bantams to fifth-from-bottom and only two points above the League Two relegation zone.

McCall felt it was harsh on his side, who also lost Reece Staunton when he suffered another hamstring injury on his return.

The City boss said: “They had one attempt at goal. As much as I was disappointed and angry with the players on Saturday, I can’t say that.

“I thought commitment-wise and desire, it was all there.

“It’s tough at the minute but no way did I think we deserved to lose that game.

“We put some good balls in but we need to get on the end of them. That’s what it is all about.

“I was happy with the way we went about it. There was good intensity and they were all backing each other up.

“We will be stronger once we get a few more players back involved. While we are plugging gaps, we’ve got to be picking points up.

“That was a point that slipped away from us.”

McCall understands the anger of fans at City’s worrying league position and added: “The only way we can change that is obviously by start winning matches.

“We need a result – we need one Saturday in the FA Cup to give supporters a bit of excitement and be in the next round.”

Staunton and Billy Clarke both came back in after passing fitness tests the day before. McCall planned to play both for an hour.

“I thought Reece was exceptional, he won a lot of headers and was good on the ball,” he said.

“It’s a big blow because it looks like he has pulled his hamstring.

“We knew Pritch (Harry Pritchard) wouldn’t make it but I then I got a call in the morning that Evo (Gareth Evans) had to pull out because of a personal family issue.”