Video - Wigan 1 Bradford 0: Cruel defeat but City still '˜full of running'

But City’s boss will “move on” from this defeat and focus on an Easter programme that sees them face play-off rivals Millwall at home before travelling to relegation-threatened Crewe.

He said: “It is frustrating because we played well and did everything we set out to do. We deserved at least a point out of the game, but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.”

City dropped out of the top six, replaced on goal difference by Barnsley after they won at Fleetwood, but Parkinson said: “We still have plenty to play for, we just have to keep positive.

“The intensity was there from the lads. We look full of running and that bodes well for the last nine games.”

The evenly-fought match looked destined to end goalless before substitute Haris Vucki scored the winner in the 80th minute. The Newcastle loanee burst on to a pass from Craig Davies and took the ball past goalkeeper Ben Williams before scoring with an angled shot.

Apart from Yanic Wilschutt hitting the post in the ninth minute, Wigan created few other chances, but City will regret a great chance that went begging a minute after half-time when Billy Clarke failed to connect properly with Jamie Proctor’s cross and the ball trickled wide.

Wigan Athletic: Jaaskelainen, Daniels (Barnett 76), Morgan, Warnock, Wabara, Power, Morsy (Vuckic 59), Perkins, Colclough (Davies:80), Grigg, Wildshut. Unused substitutes: Nicholls, Kellett, Chow, Hendry.

Bradford City: Williams, Darby, N Clarke, Burke, Meredith, McMahon, Cullen (Marshall 84), Evans, Reid, Proctor (Hanson 84), B Clarke (Thomas 84). Unused substitutes: Cracknell, Morris, Knott, Routis.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambs)

Man of the Match: Jamie Proctor.