THE giveaway was the pause as Sam Hornby formulated his answer.

Asked for his summary of City’s season, the keeper was momentarily lost for words.

“Everyone saw the difficult position we were in initially,” he said. “To get out of that and away from the danger zone at the bottom of the league was brilliant.

“To then get ourselves within touching distance of the play-offs and to now not having anything to play for in the last few games was disappointing. I think a lot of the lads will feel the same.

“Nobody wants to be sat near the bottom of the division, especially a club of this magnitude.

“We need to be up there pushing at the top end and everyone is aware of that. It’s disappointing how it’s fizzled out.

“We’d done well to get away from the position we were in. That was a positive but we shouldn’t have been there.

“We gave ourselves a chance of maybe getting in the play-offs but unfortunately couldn’t get there. It’s really important to finish on a high.”

Morecambe are the team with promotion in their sights this weekend. For the Bantams, it’s about restoring some pride by ending their current slump of just one point from six games.

It’s been the flattest possible finale to an up-and-down campaign.

Hornby admitted: “It’s been a real mixed bag and a test of character.

“But there is disappointment in there that it has drifted away and we haven’t managed to kick on into the play-offs.”

The 26-year-old has fared better than most as he signs off in the box seat for the number one jersey having ousted Richard O’Donnell.

He has got 20 appearances under his belt – including a career-high 17 in the league.

“I’m pleased with it because I obviously got more game time in the second year. You always want more.

“I came in this pre-season with a clear mind to give it my best shot. I had to wait until Rich got injured for my opportunity, thought I took it and now I’ve been put back in.

“I’m grateful to get the chance from these managers to play and hopefully I’ve shown them enough.”

Hornby is one of the 14 out-of-contract players potentially making their City swansong.

It would be a massive shock if he was not offered a new deal, given the extended game time that the former Port Vale stopper has been given.

But Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars have been consistent in keeping their cards close to their chest and not giving anything away until after the final game.

Hornby added: “You don’t go into this game without realising there are times when you are going to have to wait.

“We’ve been made well aware of it by the gaffers that we would have to wait until the end of the season to be told about our futures.

“It’s part and parcel of the industry we’re in and you’ve got to put that behind you and focus on the games.

“You’ve got to keep your standards high and be 100 per cent at it. Nothing changes for anyone.

“Results haven’t been great recently but I can tell you that everyone in or out of contract has been 100 per cent in training. There haven’t been any slackers.

“It’s good to see everyone is still on it and I think the management saying we’ll wait to the end of the season has kept us sharp.

“Of course, I want to stay. Why wouldn’t I?

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here, got a real bond with good people and made good relationships with the coaches and players.

“Why wouldn’t I want to stay?

“I’ve been given these 20-21 games but you’re always wanting more – a full season if I can.”