Bantams boss Stuart McCall has admitted that opponents Peterborough United's greater first half showing was the main reason for City's defeat at the hands on the Posh on Boxing Day.
Following a forceful opening period display from Peterborough, in particular their front three of Danny Lloyd, Marcus Maddison and Jack Marriott, City found themselves two goals down at the break.
Aided by the half time introductions of Timothee Dieng and Shay McCartan from the bench, the Bantams improved in the second period and took the game to their visitors.
City had chances to pull a goal back but Peterborough netted a third on the counter-attack midway through the half to effectively kill off the game.
Paul Taylor did get the Bantams on the score-sheet with a trademark long-range stunner but McCall's men still fell to a 3-1 home defeat.
McCall said: "They were certainly livelier than us in the first half - their front three are probably the best of their kind in the division.
"We knew we would have to be at our best defensively, but unfortunately we weren't.
"I'm disappointed with the way we've played in the first half. Not just defensively though, we've only created a couple of half chances going forward as well.
"We were better in the second period. We couldn't feel sorry for ourselves at half time, and we didn't.
"The lads went out and put in a brighter display after the break.
"We've been camped in their half for the first 20-25 minutes.
"Tyrell (Robinson), Tim (Dieng) and Gilly (Alex Gilliead) have had good chances, but they've then hit us on the counter-attack with their third.
"That has killed the game off for them really.
"We needed a goal when we were on top at the start of the second half.
"If we'd managed to have pulled it back to 2-1 then, it could have been a different story.
"We went for it with the two half time substitutions (Shay McCartan and Timothee Dieng) and it looked like we could have got back into the match up until their third goal.
"They were better than us in the first period, though, that is what has won them the game.
"There will be no feeling sorry for ourselves. We are in a good position in the league and we've collected a good amount of points so far.
"We need to kick on now, come out of the blocks quickly on Saturday (vs Oxford United) and have a real good go.
"We cannot affect what has happened now, we can only analysis it, learn from it, and then move on.
"I think the lads showed the character that is going to be needed by the way they came out fighting in the second half."