DEFIANT Simon Grayson reckons there are still two play-off tickets within City's sights despite their poor form.

Saturday's loss at Plymouth means it is now eight games without a League One win for the faltering Bantams.

The Devon side's sixth win on the bounce has powered them into sixth spot – three points above Grayson's side after his first defeat in charge.

Yet with other sides around them also slipping up, the City chief insists the route to the top six remains wide open.

Grayson said: "I'd ask supporters not to get downbeat. We're all disappointed we got beaten but we've still got plenty of times to get the victories to make it into the play-offs.

"It doesn't matter if you get into the play-offs by goal difference, a point or whatever. When you get in there, it's not exactly a lottery but anything can happen.

"We've got to maintain that belief to the players and also with the supporters as well. Charlton and Portsmouth both lost on Saturday. Scunthorpe are suddenly looking catchable.

"You might not reach the top four but there are still maybe two places still available and we have to believe that."

City must decide by later today if they are going to launch a bid to get Charlie Wyke's dismissal at Home Park overturned.

The striker saw red from referee Graham Salisbury after catching Plymouth defender Sonny Bradley with his arm.

Wyke had a similar offence against Oxford in December overturned with a successful appeal. Grayson will consider the options as he faces the risk of losing the 14-goal leading scorer for the next three games.

The Bantams manager said: "From where I was, it looked quite innocuous. Their lad went down like a sack of potatoes and suddenly managed to get up quite easily when Charlie was shown the red card.

"From what I'm led to believe from Charlie, he went to challenge the lad and had his arms out. But there was no trailing arm or he pulled the elbow back or anything like that.

"If he has done that and we see it on the DVD, then he's deserved everything he gets. That's what needs to be punished.

"But if there's any opportunity to appeal against it because there was no maliciousness, then we'll do so.

"We've not got the biggest of squads anyway and can't afford to lose any player."

Tyrell Robinson, who scored the equaliser in Grayson's first game at Charlton, had City's best chance to level late on but failed to convert Alex Gilliead's cross under pressure from defender Oscar Threlkeld.

Grayson said: "You can say it's good defending but Tyrell said he got a little nudge as well. We're encouraging him to get into those positions.

"The players have to believe in themselves more. Yes, they've gone through a difficult time recently. But if they play with an urgency off the ball, trying to get it back and running around more, that will lead to them playing with more urgency with it.

"It's about penning teams in, getting second balls and getting things in the final third to make it difficult for the opposition. They did it at Charlton and the second half on Saturday without getting the breaks."