CITY passed a “mental test” to cement their spot in the League One play-off zone with a second win in the space of 48 hours.

Boss Phil Parkinson was thrilled with yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Notts County – as Gary Jones and Garry Thompson made a fruitless return to Valley Parade.

Billy Knott’s first-half winner kept the Bantams in fifth place and stretched their two-month unbeaten run to nine games.

Parkinson said: “It was a great win for us, although we should have scored more. But after conceding late the other week (against Scunthorpe), it was a good mental test for us and we responded really well in all aspects of the game.

“We looked strong physically and there was no sign of mental weakness, which can happen sometimes when you play games so quickly together.

“It was an excellent performance all-round in difficult conditions and there was no sign of flagging.

“We haven’t had a game like that for a while but we came through with flying colours and the energy level was a real stand-out for us.”

Jones and Thompson were both serenaded by the City faithful but Parkinson stressed their return had not been a factor in the build-up.

He said: “We didn’t really make too big a thing of it in the dressing room. We wanted to focus on the challenge ahead of us because Notts County were unbeaten on their travels.

“We had our own personal goal. After we beat Dartford (in the FA Cup), we wanted to go to Millwall in the next round with our run still intact and in a strong position in the league.

“This was the last game before the cup and that’s a good little target completed. We can go there now and express ourselves and be really confident.

“When you’re on the touchline and you see the players running and working as hard as they are, it’s so rewarding for myself and the rest of the staff.

“There’s a great togetherness in the camp and that’s taken us a long way in this football club. It was so evident again.”

Andrew Davies suffered a slight hamstring strain and is expected to miss the trip to the Den. Mark Yeates also sat out yesterday with a stiff knee from the Fleetwood game.

Alan Sheehan replaced Davies against his old club l Continued on Page 34 and Parkinson was pleased with his performance. Gary Liddle, another Notts County old boy, won the midfield battle with Jones.

Parkinson said: “Lidds was just immense. He intercepts the ball, he tackles, he passes, he heads it – he covers the ground.

“Billy Knott was great. He got the goal and his quality was evident when the play opened up. I thought those two played really well.”

Jones was overwhelmed by the crowd’s reaction and made a point of saluting the home stands after the final whistle.

The former Bantams skipper said: “To hear your name cheered at the end was a lump-in-the-throat moment. I’m disappointed with the result but the reception was absolutely amazing.

“Bradford fans are unbelievable. They are literally the 12th man. They get behind the team and suck the ball into the net at the Kop end.

“It was nice to play on that pitch again in front of those great supporters. I never thought it would happen and I really enjoyed it.”