Robbie Blake has revealed the play-off heartache which is inspiring him to try to ensure Bradford City win promotion to the Premiership.

The 22-year-old turned in a sensational performance and grabbed two goals to help the Bantams thrash Swindon 4-1 at the County Ground on Saturday.

The victory pushed City up to fifth position and, with Paul Jewell's side having a game in hand on the three teams immediately above them, the Bantams look set for an exciting second half of the season.

Blake was a part of the Darlington side that were unlucky to lose 1-0 against Plymouth in the Third Division play-off final in 1996, and he is determined to make amends.

He said: "I was only 19 at the time and didn't realise what it meant.

"It all went above my head really because I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a great honour to play at Wembley, but I suppose it was a low point and I want to make up for that.

"If we can keep our present form then we will have a great chance of either the play-offs or automatic promotion.

"The way the Premiership is shaping up it has to be everyone's ambition to reach it. I think it is a realistic aim for us.

"There are not many sides who have the quality we have through our line-up. I want to get in the Premier League, and my ambition is to do that with Bradford."

Manager Jewell lavished praise on his striker after the game at Swindon and revealed he believes Blake has what it takes to go all the way in his football career.

He said: "Robbie did very well. His best position is down the middle but I think his game has grown since he went out wide for a time.

"He has a lot more strings to his bow now. Some of the things he can do are out of the top drawer.

"We have worked with him a lot and have had him back in the afternoon a few times.

"His fitness is a lot better as a result and I feel he now has another yard of pace. He can go as far as he wants - he has all the right attributes."

Blake added: "I think my game has improved a lot since I went out wide, particularly my defending.

"I am just happy to play anywhere in this team although having said that, I do prefer being in the centre.

"We have quality throughout the side and are looking good. There are only two teams who have really hammered us - Ipswich and QPR. Obviously Sunderland weren't better than us on the day up there, but they are the best in the league.

"People are always trying to knock you down but there was no panic among the lads after the successive defeats against QPR and Huddersfield.

"We knew we needed to step up a gear and we have done that in the last two games.

"The gaffer has done a lot more training with us which is reaping the rewards. He is a good coach and the lads have a lot of respect for both the manager and his assistant."

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