A JUBILANT Phil Parkinson savoured City’s biggest away victory of the season at Doncaster and roared: “Winning 3-0 didn’t flatter us.”

Second-half goals from Gary MacKenzie, Billy Clarke and Tony McMahon propelled the Bantams back up to seventh in League One – and three points off the play-offs.

It was a huge result on the back of Tuesday’s home loss to sixth-placed Chesterfield and Parkinson could not contain his delight.

“In the context of wins this season, that’s got to be right up there,” he said.

“The talk in Doncaster’s camp was how they’d had two weeks to prepare and we’d had two tough games in that time. But there was only one team looking fatigued when the final whistle went and it wasn’t us.

“We did the right things. We did what we set out to do as a team.

“There was only a small spell in the first half of about ten to 15 minutes when we stopped but every team is going to have that.

“But we dominated the second half and had other chances. So I don’t think 3-0 flattered us.”

The margin of victory also meant that City levelled the goal difference with the Spireites and Parkinson felt his players enjoyed performing on a decent pitch again after the midweek slog at Valley Parade.

He added: “Tuesday night was tough. The conditions were awful and it was so difficult to play on a quagmire of a pitch.

“So the lads relished playing on a good surface. You could see that players like Billy Clarke, Billy Knott and Yeatesy (Mark Yeates) really enjoyed the game. I was pleased with Tony McMahon as well. We put him on in an unfamiliar position – wide left wasn’t one of his criteria – and he showed us what he’s all about.

“He’s got nous and that’s what you need in those situations. He saw the game through and then got a goal.”

Fellow Blackpool loanee MacKenzie also scored his first goal for City as he bounced back from the mistake that cost them dear against Chesterfield.

“Football is about character tests all the time and that was one for him,” said Parkinson. “I thought he was terrific against Oldham but him and Rory McArdle weren’t as physical in the Chesterfield game and cost us the goal.

“But all you can do as a player is get back on the bike and produce a performance, which Gary has done “The mentality was good. It was similar to the Oldham game and once we got ahead, we weren’t going to concede.

“Doncaster have got some good players like Richie Wellens and James Coppinger, an array of Championship talent, and if you sit off them and let them play they are a team that will create chances against you.”

City will assess Mark Yeates over the weekend ahead of Monday’s home tussle with second-placed Preston. The Irishman went off clutching his shoulder.

Parkinson said: “His shoulder popped out again. I don’t think it’s too serious but because of the timing of the game, I wasn’t going to take any risks.”