City angry over second goal

FURIOUS Bradford City players were still seething over Ipswich Town's second goal well after the match, writes Derek Davis.

City claim Darren Bent had pushed Mark Bower before pulling the ball back for Ian Westlake to score and three Bantams were booked for protesting at the linesman too vehemently.

Striker Dean Windass, who had scored just moments earlier to level the scores at 1-1 on the stroke of half-time, explained later why they got so agitated.

He said: "We thought Bent had pushed Bower in the back, I could see that and I was 60 yards away.

"But they are the decisions that go against you when you are bottom of the league.

"I think the referee thought he was at a party because he kept laughing all the time, even when he was booking you.

"I don't really blame the referee – it was the linesman's fault as he has not seen the push in the back.

"It was frustrating as it killed the game off – a minute before we had got level and were thinking we can have a right go in the second half. Goals change games and that really deflated us. Three lads got booked and the Gaffer has told us to calm down so no one would get sent off."

The loss leaves City seven points adrift of Derby, who are fourth from bottom, but Windass feels they still have an outside chance of survival.

He said: "We have got most of the bottom teams left to play, so starting with Crewe on Saturday they are all must-win games.

"While the points are on the board you never give up. That said, there is no hiding from the fact that it is going to be difficult. Hopefully Bryan and Colin will pick the lads up and we can get going again."

Alun Armstrong, whose loan spell with Bradford City was suspended so he could not play against Ipswich, will return to Valley Parade this week.