City were today lifting their tired legs to attack the home straight of their mid-season marathon.

The Bantams round off a non-stop schedule against high-flying Brentford at Valley Parade this afternoon - their tenth game in 30 days.

After picking up four points from the last two matches, Colin Todd hopes his side can muster the energy for one final effort.

Todd said: "We've lost track of the days because it's been such a hectic time, not only over the Christmas period but the whole of December.

"We're not making excuses but it can take its toll. But we've set it up nicely for Brentford and hopefully we can play with real drive and purpose like we did against Walsall.

"The most important factor in a period like this is the rest and preserving our energy. Then we'll try to keep the momentum going - seven points from nine would be an excellent effort."

Right back Richard Edghill is out after pulling his hamstring early on in Saturday's goalless draw at Scunthorpe. His absence could open the door for a return for Darren Holloway, who has not featured since his five-game ban for a third red card.

City signed off 2005 at Glanford Park with their second clean sheet on the bounce. But Todd was slightly disappointed that they could not turn it into a fifth away win.

He added: "We defended great again and got a lot of blocks in but we didn't use the ball as well as we can do. Our counter-attacking was quite good in the second half but we lacked that little bit of cohesion in the last third of the field.

"I keep saying it but our final decisions have to improve. When we get in good positions then we have to produce better quality."

Dean Windass was taken off after an hour but Todd said: "It's no disgrace getting pulled off. It's a team game and we have to accept that decisions are going to be made for the benefit of the team."

Brentford lost the League One leadership at the weekend to drop to third on goal difference. The 2-0 home loss to Colchester ended a ten-match unbeaten run for Martin Allen's men.