ALEX Gilliead reckons City are better suited to playing League Two’s top brass.

The Bantams host leaders Mansfield this weekend needing an immediate response from the costly Forest Green defeat.

It is a tough ask after the low of Tuesday night but Gilliead, who made his 200th appearance for the club, is confident of raising their game.

He said: “Since I’ve been here, the teams who are struggling in the league come and sit in and make it frustrating for us and slow the game down.

“If they do get that goal, we’ll huff and puff a lot and try to make things happen but never seem to get over the line.

READ MORE: Alex Gilliead's 200 games for City in pictures

“When teams come who want to play and get after us, like MK Dons did, I feel we can match them up and show how good we are.

“Valley Parade’s a massive stadium, it’s a big pitch and teams want to come and do well.

“When teams do that, we’re like, ‘okay, we’ll have a go at you as well’.

“But when teams come and say break us down, we struggle to unlock the defence or get that goal.

“Sometimes we need to be a bit more patient or have that moment of brilliance from someone.

“We know Tuesday was nowhere near good enough performance or result-wise and we need to bounce back.”

City are seven points off the play-offs now but Gilliead insists there is enough mileage left in the season to get going again.

“It was an opportunity missed but it was just three points,” he added. “There are still a lot to play for.

“We’ve got big games coming up against teams in and around us.

“The way Forest Green played was a frustrating game to play in. On Saturday it will be totally different against a team who are up there and doing very well.

“There are still a lot of things that can happen. If we can get on another run and win five or six, then we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”

Gilliead was unaware of his midweek milestone until Jamie Walker pointed it out.

But he said: “I’ve had quite a lot of messages congratulating me. It’s a massive achievement and something I am very proud of.

“When all’s said and done, not many people can say they’ve played 200 games for Bradford.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here playing for the club and it’s a big part of my life.”