Macclesfield Town v Bradford City: Jackson eager for Bantams to avoid dogfight

The Bantams travel to Macclesfield Town tonight desperate to extend the six-point advantage they hold over second-bottom Barnet.

Martin Allen’s Bees have been rejuvenated in recent weeks, as proved by their 4-1 thrashing of Burton Albion last Saturday, so City cannot afford any slip-ups for fear of being dragged into the fight for Football League survival.

With that in mind, Jackson has set his side the target of claiming the two wins he believes will secure safety as quickly as possible.

He said: “It was disappointing to lose our last two games (against Shrewsbury Town and Stevenage) so we need to bounce back against Macclesfield.

“Barnet have gone on a little run lately so we have to make sure we don’t allow ourselves to get dragged in.

“The big plus for me is I know we have the quality to keep us out of trouble.

“The last three results have been disappointing but we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact we have decent players.”

Simon Ramsden and Kevin Ellison will again both be missing for City tonight but Luke Oliver should start after coming through unscathed a brief cameo from the bench in Saturday’s defeat to Stevenage.

Jackson said: “There will be changes to my team.

“I want to see a positive approach and for us to take the game to Macclesfield.”

Tonight’s trip to Moss Rose will be Jackson’s seventh in interim charge of the Bantams as the club continue their search to appoint a permanent successor to Peter Taylor.

His first half-dozen games have yielded just seven points, although four of those have come against teams who were in the top seven at the time. 

Last six games: Macclesfield Town DDWLLL, Bradford City WLWWDLL.

Last time: Macclesfield Town 2 Bradford City 2; October 31, 2009; League Two.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).