Mark Lawn has warned fans not to get too caught up in the hype of City’s first play-off appearance for 17 years.

The Bantams have booked their top-seven finish with a game to spare – and are now potentially 180 minutes away from returning to Wembley.

Joint-chairman Lawn has been amazed by the “never-say-die” spirit that has powered them into the end-of-season promotion shoot-out.

But he has also urged supporters to keep a lid on their Wembley dreams with two semi-finals to negotiate first.

He said: “I got the feeling after Saturday that some people were thinking we are there already. We’re not.

“There are two very hard games to go and I’d urge some caution. No matter who we will play next, they finished way above us.

“To beat them over two legs, whether it’s Burton, Cheltenham or Rotherham, is going to be tough. We have got to show them respect and I’m sure we will.

“Remember what Blackpool said in ’96 or Aston Villa? We just have to make sure we perform the way we can – do that and we can beat anybody.”

Saturday’s win over Burton made sure City cannot be caught in the final play-off spot, whatever happens in next weekend’s league finale at Cheltenham.

Should the table stay the same, the fourth-placed Robins will be their opponents again in the semi-finals.

Lawn is thrilled to be contemplating a play-off shot that he believed was beyond them at Easter.

He added: “This team keeps surprising us. They never know when they are beaten.

“Although they aren’t beating teams out the window, they keep grinding out results. Given the number of games played and the injuries, it’s been an amazing effort.

“We never give up and you’ve got to look at Phil (Parkinson) and Steve (Parkin) and the coaching staff for that.

“It takes a lot for people to keep believing that they can do it – and I thought to myself that we had no chance after the Southend game.

“To pull it round to the extent of making it into the play-offs before the last game of the season is fantastic. It’s been an extraordinary season.”

Lawn also confirmed that contract talks with Parkinson are “still moving on”.

“Yet again it’s a case of dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s. I don’t think the play-offs will hold us back, it will be done when it’s done.”

Parkinson is as short as 8/1 with some bookmakers for the vacant Sheffield United job. But the Blades, currently under the temporary charge of Chris Morgan, have indicated they will not be reviewing their options until the end of the season.

According to a club source yesterday, that position is not believed to have changed.

Meanwhile, City reserves lost 2-0 to Hull at North Ferriby last night. The team was made up of apprentices and trialists.