Alex Jones' scrambled first home goal midway through the opening half helped McCall's men on their way to a narrow success against Peterborough.
With the league season moving into its crucial final period, both play-off chasing sides were giving little away during the game.
It was tight and scrappy at times, but, crucially, McCall was encouraging to see the Bantams show that they had the heart for the battle to do what was necessary for victory.
McCall said: "I think over the course of the game we deserved the win.
"The first half was fairly even, a bit scrappy at times, and the goal itself was scrappy.
"We had some good opportunities to finish the game in the second period but we couldn't really work the goalkeeper.
"There were a few worries, especially when their 'keeper comes up at the end, but thankfully those missed chances didn't come back to haunt us.
"As we've said before, there are different ways to win games of football.
"We've got our noses in front and then the lads have shown the desire and determination to keep a clean sheet.
"The whole side worked so hard for each other.
"It was all about winning your own battles, and I think we won the majority of them today (Saturday).
"Their (Peterborough) front four are all terrific players, meaning we had to be at our best.
"There was a lot of leadership and character out there from the group.
"In the past this season at home, the fans might have left the ground entertained but not happy because we've drawn the match.
"It might have not been the most entertaining today, but the fans will have gone home really happy because we've won, and that is all that matters at this stage of the season."
Following his maiden City goal at Port Vale last weekend, Jones was the Bantams' match-winner for the second Saturday in succession.
There was some confusion initially over City's goalscorer, however, with Charlie Wyke originally awarded the goal.
Wyke was the player who ended up firing the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble but referee Brett Huxtable confirmed post-match that Jones had already forced the ball over the line.
McCall added: "At the time, I saw the linesman flagging and it must have been to signal the goal.
"I watched the goal back on our monitors after the game and I was still unsure, so I checked with the officials and they confirmed that it was number nineteen's goal.
"We are pleased for Jonesey to get another goal but ultimately I don't really care who scores as long as we get one more than the opposition."