A first half opener from Nicky Law - his maiden goal of the season - and an injury time penalty from substitute Haris Vuckic was enough to seal a 2-0 win for McCall's men, moving them to within a point of top spot in Sky Bet League One.
The Shrewsbury victory makes it three wins on the spin for City in the league and four on the trot in all competitions following Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy success over Bury.
The City chief was pleased with some of the eye-catching football his side produced in the first half but he admits the Bantams had to dig deep at times during the second period to ensure the three points.
McCall said: "First and foremost, we got the three points that we were after and another clean sheet for the defence.
"I thought in the first half at times we were very good on the ball.
"We got a really good goal through Nicky and then virtually straight after Fil (Morais) has a shot cleared away from right in front of the line.
"It would have been nice to have maybe got a second going into the break when we had our purple patch in the first half.
"We said at half time that there was the danger that they would get a chance in the game while it is still one-nil.
"Although we weren't at our fluent best in the second half and they have made us defend more balls into our box, I felt (Colin) Doyley has had nothing really to do.
"I wanted us to play better in the second period certainly but I am probably a little harsh at times because I know what these lads are capable of.
"Looking at the big picture, I'd gladly take a 2-0 win every time at home between now and the end of the season.
"We know there will be times when we can't play our football - teams aren't going to come here and let us knock it about - but there are all different types of ways to win a football game.
"It was good play from the lads in the first half and good defending when we needed to in the second half."
First goalscorer Law was employed in central midfield for this Saturday's match following Josh Cullen's call up to the Republic of Ireland Under 21s squad.
McCall said: "He'll (Nicky Law) be pleased more than anyone because he'll probably think that I'll get off his back a bit now about scoring!
"The ability he has with his left and right foot, we know he should be scoring.
"With Josh being out today (Saturday), we've played Nicky more centrally. We were going to play with two out-and-out wingers but we decided to change it a bit due to the system they (Shrewsbury) play.
"When you have the pace of (Mark) Marshall and (Jordy) Hiwula, plus the trickery of Nicky, Billy Clarke and Morais, you have the recipe for some entertaining stuff."