Bradford City's James Meredith braced for more twists and turns in play-off race

There has been heartache, joy and even one unfortunate afternoon with York City when the celebrating players were pelted with missiles by hooligans after being chased from the field.

So, as the Australian left-back prepares to embark on his sixth tilt at winning promotion via the play-offs, little is likely to surprise him.

“I have been involved five times before and it is genuinely a case of thinking, ‘Anything can happen on the day’,” said the 29-year-old ahead of tomorrow night’s semi-final first leg with Fleetwood Town at Valley Parade.

“So many matches stand out, including the (2013 League Two) final with Bradford at Wembley when we were 3-0 up in the first half-hour.

“Getting promoted with York (in 2012) was great as well. The semi-finals stand out, too. When I was playing for York and we beat Luton, their fans threw coins at us and we had to hide at the back of the stand.

“That was terrible at the time, but pretty exciting.”

Meredith’s first taste of the play-offs ended in disappointment, as AFC Telford United missed out on a place in the Conference via a 1-0 defeat to Gateshead in 2009.

Twelve months later came those ugly scenes at Kenilworth Road as York’s celebrating players had to seek refuge at the back of the away end from a baying mob of Luton hooligans.

More misery, however, lay ahead as the Minstermen lost the Wembley final to Chris Wilder’s Oxford United.

Back-to-back promotions at the national stadium with York and then Bradford more than made up for those disappointments and Meredith is looking for similar redemption this time around after last year’s semi-final exit to Millwall.

“I do think we have got a stronger team this year and are playing better football,” said the left-back ahead of taking on Fleetwood over two legs.

“We will go into the play-offs as strong contenders and we will have every opportunity to get to where we want to.

“The team are on good form, everyone’s confident and raring to go. We know how we are going to play and how we are going to match up against them.

“Everyone is really looking forward to it.”

City boast the only unbeaten home record in the Football League this season, a run that included a 2-1 win over Fleetwood in September.

Uwe Rosler’s men, however, will arrive at Valley Parade tomorrow night having finished three points and one place above the Yorkshire club.

They also beat the Bantams at Highbury in February so the stage seems set for a couple of tight encounters.

“Fleetwood have had a great run,” added Meredith. You certainly can’t think of them (as little Fleetwood).

“They beat us during the season, even though we controlled the whole game. They nicked two goals towards the end so you can’t lose concentration for a moment.

“Their manager has done wonders, especially for the team they have got. But I think if we are on our game, we should beat anyone.”

Alex Jones could be a surprise inclusion in the Bradford squad after the hamstring injury that forced the £30,000 striker out of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Rochdale turned out not to be as serious as first thought.

As for City looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s semi-final exit, Meredith added: “It definitely feels different. We’re slightly more relaxed, but not in a bad way.

“We are confident in our ability and the way we play. We don’t really feel that pressure that we necessarily have to keep a clean sheet.

“Last season, we were relying on 1-0s, but this time we know we have got goals in us. We have got flair and exciting players like (Mark) Marsh(all) and Nicky Law. It will be a really good test for all of us.”