Stuart McCall encouraged by Bradford City's performance at Bolton Wanderers

The Bantams will feel they should have got more from the game, after a dominant second half, which saw them create several chances and miss a penalty.

It was the seventh game in a row that City had failed to keep a clean sheet as they conceded in the 13th minute via Nathan Delfouneso's strike.

McCall felt his side had done enough to earn at least a draw and feels they will win more than they lose if they find some consistency with their performances.

“I’m not daft. I will be the first to admit when performances haven’t merited anything," he said.

“But their staff straight after the game said that we didn’t deserve that – and we didn’t.

“I was disappointed we haven’t won a game but if you make opportunities and don’t take them, you’re not going to win games.”

He added: "We’ve had opportunities to not only draw but probably win the game."

Bradford managed to muster just two shots in the first half although their second attempt should have found the back of net.

Callum Cooke was found by Clayton Donaldson in the penalty area but put his effort over the bar. City dominated the second half and were camped in Bolton's half but the hosts held out, despite a flurry of chances for the visitors.

Billy Crellin saved a penalty for the home side, getting down low to his right to keep out Billy Clarke's spotkick, after Anthony O'Connor was fouled in the box.

McCall lamented Bolton's opener, as Wanderers pounced on some poor defending from the Bantams to score the only goal of the game.

“We gave a poor goal away through individual errors and it knocked us back a bit,” added McCall.

“It would be nice to score first – but that’s easier said than done. We gave them a lift again with a really sloppy goal.

“But I thought we started growing into it again and we had a great chance just before half-time through Cookie [Callum Cooke]. He’s normally a good finisher but he snatched at it.

“In the second half we had so many good opportunities in some good areas and played some really good football. The second half was really encouraging in the way we played.

“I’ve no doubts if we play in that manner, as long as we can put the ball in the back of the net, we’ll start picking up points shortly.”

Lee Novak was absent for Bradford with a calf injury and is expected to undergo scans this week to discover the extent of the injury.