JAMIE Walker insists City must show they are willing to fight on their travels - or risk becoming a "big scalp" again.

Saturday’s loss at Harrogate was their third in a row away from Valley Parade as they dropped into the bottom half of the table.

City paid the price for a sloppy start and Walker admits they need to knuckle down for tomorrow’s trip to Derek Adams’ Morecambe.

“If you’re coming away from home and start the way we did, it’s always an uphill battle,” said the Scot. “It was the same at Walsall and Grimsby.

“We left ourselves too much to do. But that’s on our heads for not starting the game properly and we’re bitterly disappointed.

“It’s quite difficult to put your finger on why but I think it’s more a mentality thing.

“Winning first balls, winning tackles in this division is so important. I’ve been in it for a few years now and you’re not going to walk any game.

“You’ve got to win the first contact, win tackles and earn the right to play.

“We’ve not really done that away from home up to this point.”

Harrogate maintained their Yorkshire bragging rights over the Bantams with a fourth win in their five meetings at Wetherby Road.

Walker added: “People are sick of hearing it and we’re all sick of saying it. But we’re a big scalp in this division.

“It’s up to us to try and deal with that pressure. Mentality is a big thing when you’re playing for this club.

“When you’re going away, you’ve got to grind out results and performances.

“We need to look at ourselves before we go away again tomorrow.

“There’s always another game round the corner and it’s a chance to put things right. But we need to start playing better away if we’re going to achieve anything this season.

“We need to find that balance and we’re not doing it well enough at the moment.

“Every time we go away, everyone wants to beat Bradford City. They are always up for the game and up for the challenge.

“If we play like we did in the first 15-20 minutes again, then we don’t give ourselves any opportunity to get the three points.

“Morecambe will be up for it again and we’ve got to make sure we are the same.”

Graham Alexander admitted City are making it harder for themselves on their travels by falling behind each time.

“We’re just digging holes for ourselves,” said the Bantams chief.

“If you give an opposition a lead to defend, their motivation is going to be higher.

“We talked about fixing the issue at home last season and not conceding early goals, so you’re not chasing it.

“The last three away games we’ve ended up chasing and it becomes more difficult. It gets more frantic and puts more pressure on the attacking moments.

“But we do have to show more quality. Sometimes we’re taking the easy route by saying, ‘this ball will do, this pass will do’.

“We’re not taking enough care to give the attacking player the opportunity to look after it or get his shot off.

“There are things we need to improve on that. But we have to play exceptionally well if we’re going to give a goal or two to every team we face away from home.”