GARY Liddle has one word for League One leaders Bristol City – “phenomenal”.

Steve Cotterill’s Robins will be the first Football League team to win promotion with victory over the Bantams tonight.

Liddle has no intention of playing bridesmaids as the home side try to keep their flickering play-off bid alive for another game.

But he has been hugely impressed with the ultra-consistent form shown by the men from the west country, who have occupied a promotion berth throughout the campaign.

“They are the league leaders and obviously running away with it,” he said. “They are a phenomenal team.

“They’ve probably got one of the biggest squads in the division and one of the biggest budgets but you’ve got to respect what they have achieved.

“Playing at home on a Tuesday night under the floodlights against the leaders will be special. It’s a game you want to be a part of.”

City’s record against Bristol City is excellent and they are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings.

Bristol City have not won at Valley Parade since January 1989 in the League Cup. But it is over 100 years since their last away success at BD8 in the league – Christmas Day 1908!

On current form, the Bantams will have their work cut out to extend that hoodoo. While Bristol City are knocking on the door of a return to the Championship, City have lost three out of four to see their own top-six ambitions subside.

Two of those losses have been at home against Chesterfield and Preston and the indifferent Valley Parade form will be the key reason if City fall short.

Liddle admitted: “The away results are probably as good as anyone outside the top four. Eight victories away from home is a really good return.

“But when you couple that with the home form, then it’s been hot and cold.

“A lot of teams have struggled at home this season and I think it shows how tight the division is. Everyone can go anywhere and win, as we’ve shown a few times.

“It depends how you are on the day. But we know we’ve got to be right on top of it.”

Gary MacKenzie returned earlier than expected at Gillingham so Liddle could retain his regular role controlling matters in midfield.

He gave another typically assured display but defeat left a bitter taste from a game that City had dominated for the most part. It was even more frustrating as only one of the top half won.

Liddle said: “It’s finding that consistency. Early on in the season we went 12 games unbeaten and if you can get another little run going again, who knows what can still happen.”