IT’S taken a while but City's next opponents Stockport are finally starting to live up to the heady expectations.

The Hatters roared back into the EFL after an 11-year absence as favourites with the bookies for instant promotion.

But the National League champions flattered to deceive in the early stages - losing seven of their first 10 league games.

A 1-0 victory at Valley Parade thanks to Paddy Madden’s penalty started to buck the trend and results have picked up considerably in mid-season.

With eight wins in their last 11, Stockport are rumbling ominously up the table ahead of tomorrow night's Edgeley Park clash - and now sit just three points behind the Bantams in 10th in the congested placings.

Three wins in December, scoring nine goals without reply, earned Dave Challinor the League Two manager of the month award as momentum continued to build.

"The positive we had to take from the first batch of 10 games was that we didn't lose a game by more than a goal and we were in every single one,” Challinor told Sky Sports.

“We just conceded really bad goals that put us on the back foot.

“Since then, we've cut out those mistakes, done the basics much better and got a feel for each other.

“We did have some change in the summer and it was a new group. Even though results weren't showing, I felt that group had gelled, but there's definitely more to them now.”

As well as being one of the highest scorers in the division, Stockport are also keeping things very tight.

The clean sheet in BD8 was one of nine for Stockport in the last 14 games - when they have only conceded eight times.

Challinor added: "The next six games will be almost season-defining. If we can be in touch with 16 to go, then I really think we can kick on - we have to do that.

"The top three need reeling back in, but what I would say is there's probably 11 or 12 teams below them all still in it."