Paul Jewell believes his Bradford City side should take heart from their battling display at Newcastle when they return to First Division action.

The Bantams slipped to a 3-0 defeat at St James' Park thanks to goals from Dietmar Hamann, England captain Alan Shearer and Temuri Ketsbaia

However Jewell's men showed enough encouraging signs in a first half in which they just about shaded the play that they have the quality to sustain their bid for a Premiership place.

City travel to promotion rivals Birmingham City next Sunday and Jewell is hoping his side can use the experience of facing Newcastle to their advantage.

He said: "I thought we kept the ball well and created some good chances in the first half.

"I can't fault the commitment of my side. What we did lack was a cutting edge at times, which was frustrating. Other than that, I felt we matched Newcastle.

"I think the scoreline flattered them but if you don't take your chances then you will be punished.

"Hopefully we can learn from this game and use it to our benefit in the league. Robbie Blake was disappointed in the dressing room because he missed a couple of chances but he must look at the positives of his performance.

"I told him to get his head up and concentrate on the visit to Birmingham. That is the game that counts now."

Newcastle assistant boss Steve Clarke, standing in for 'flu victim Ruud Gullit who went home just 20 minutes after the final whistle, admitted that City were a little unfortunate not to have something to show for their efforts.

"The scoreline flattered us a little bit. Bradford had a few chances when the game was close and if one of them had gone in, it could have been a different game.

"Alan got one chance in the game and he went through and stuck it in the net. That's the difference between the two divisions.

"It was always going to be difficult for them once we got the second goal. We could afford to sit back and play on the break and we always looked like we were going to get the third goal."

Clarke is now hoping a Cup run will spark improved form in the Premiership to prevent his side being dragged into a relegation dog-fight.

"It's a little break from the League where we haven't been having a lot of luck really," he said.

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