Bradford City's hat-trick hero Lee Mills has paid tribute to the part played by manager Paul Jewell in the Bantams' fine recent run which has powered them into an automatic promotion slot.

City's top-scorer took his tally of goals this season to 19 with three strikes in the 4-1 demolition of bottom club Crewe.

Robbie Blake grabbed the other goal in a fine City display which stretched the club's unbeaten run to eight league and cup games, including seven wins.

And Mills believes that Jewell has played a major part in creating the sort of belief which has powered that impressive run.

He said: "You could sense the mood in the dressing room before the game. Every game we go into, you can tell that we all feel we will win.

"That is a great feeling and down to the gaffer because he instils that positive attitude into our game. That has helped us so many times this season.

"The gaffer says, first and foremost, we must earn the right to play. Once you have done that then we can start using the skills, and that is exactly what we did against Crewe."

Mills' hat-trick took his tremendous recent run of scoring to nine goals in seven games, and pushed him within one strike of the £1 million man's pre-season aim of 20 goals.

Asked whether he had revised his target in the wake of his recent run, Mills smiled and said: "I will still be happy with 20. At the start of the season I think that is a reasonable level for any striker. But if I get past, 20, then I will be looking to 25.

"I really felt good against Crewe, so when the third one went in I knew it was going to be my day. When the ball came to me on the volley, I think the crowd ducked down because usually it goes well over.

"But it went in off the bar for my first hat-trick in the league. I came close down at West Brom earlier this season when, after scoring two goals early on, I had a great chance which ended up going for a throw-in. But I am pleased with this hat-trick."

The City manager was full of praise for his top scorer after a game in which Mills became the first Bantams player to score a hat-trick for four and a half years since Jewell grabbed three in a 5-1 win at Plymouth.

Asked whether he was glad the wait was over, Jewell laughed: "Yes, but I have to say mine were against quality opposition!"

He then added: "Seriously, I am delighted for Mills. He has 19 goals now and deserves any praise he receives. Lee's work-rate and determination are excellent. He is a real team player who works hard in both boxes."

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