PHIL Parkinson admitted City’s 6-0 thumping by leaders Bristol City was the lowest point of his career – as a manager or player.

The Bantams boss was left stunned by a shambolic Valley Parade display last night as the visitors strolled to promotion from League One with a goal rush.

Parkinson launched a scathing verdict on his players after their fourth defeat in five – and by far the heaviest during his reign.

“I’ve never seen us play as badly as that in all my time at Bradford,” he said. “We didn’t do the basics in our defending well and when things went against us we got worse at them.

“Instead of regrouping and making sure we didn’t concede again, we got worse.

“Players who have played so well for us this season performed so poorly – so many of them together on the same night.

“Why? I’m not quite sure. Maybe we were a team who were feeling sorry for ourselves after playing well against Preston and Gillingham and getting nothing for it.

“We’ve always stood up and been counted as a team. We’ve been physical and defended well – but we didn’t do any of those things.

“As manager, I’ve got to take responsibility.”

Bristol City were 2-0 up at half-time but the floodgates really opened after the break. Keeper Ben Williams was badly at fault for the third, which he allowed to slither through his grasp, and Parkinson felt his team collapsed at that point.

“At half-time we felt we could get going again but the third goal killed us.

“It was a routine save for Ben and unusual for him because he’s been safe in those situations. That goal really knocked the stuffing out of us.

“The basics of our defending weren’t there, clearing the ball, heading it out from the centre of our goal. Whatever level you’re at, non-league or Champions’ League, you have to defend well and stay strong as a team and we didn’t do that.”

Parkinson’s gamble to play Mark Yeates, despite his on-going problem with a dislocated shoulder, did not pay off and he was forced to take him off at half-time.

He added: “I probably played players who weren’t quite right and I have to take responsibility for that. I’ve got to pick a team on Saturday (at Sheffield United) that is physically fit and ready to go.

“Bristol City are an outstanding team and full of confidence. Let’s not forget we went down there and drew 2-2 earlier in the season but we literally couldn’t handle them.

“We’ve played better teams in cup competitions than Bristol this season. There are no excuses for a performance like that.

“I can’t remember getting beaten like that as a manager or a player. We found it really tough.

“We’ve had plenty of good times in that dressing room and plaudits over my time. But this is a low point and I’ve got to lift the troops.”