GRAHAM Alexander felt gutted for City after an away win was snatched from their grasp at Colchester.

The Bantams were floored by the sucker punch of Jamie McDonnell’s equaliser at the end of 10 added minutes.

Andy Cook’s 11th goal of the season had put the Bantams in sight of a third away win. But Colchester delivered a sting in the tail when McDonnell headed home unmarked from the final corner of the game.

“I thought the players were really good in how we managed the game and the opponent,” said Alexander.

“They put in a lot of long balls for us to compete and their pressure got them a set-piece which we just couldn’t defend.

“They’ve piled everyone in the box. The goalkeeper’s up and there are a load of players in there.

“Their players can see there’s only a minute to go so none of them are holding the edge of the box.

“They are just piling into the six-yard box so unfortunately there’s probably always going to be one spare.

“You hope he gets lost in the pack or we get a head on it or Sam (Walker) catches it.

“I don’t think the corner was aimed for him necessarily but it’s landed on him and he’s nicked the equaliser.

“It’s really disappointing. I’m gutted for the players because the work they’ve done this week and then taken into the game has been superb.

“But for me, it was a step forward for us in how to approach the away games. We just need to tidy up a couple of things in possession because I thought we could have kept the ball a bit better in the second half.

“I can understand why we got into that mode of protecting the lead.”

The lengthy stoppage period was caused by a shoulder injury to Lewis Richards, who was on oxygen in the dressing room afterwards.

“He’s obviously in a bit of pain,” added the City boss. “It’s a great shame because I thought he played really well.

“It’s another hit to us that we’re going to have to overcome again.

“We were told there would be five added minutes but that was prior to Lewis’ injury. Obviously, the stadium got a big lift when the number 10 went up for the extra-time.

“I’ve got no reason to argue because it was a significant few minutes.

“It’s cost us in two ways – it’s cost us a player and we’ve had to mix and match a little bit and it’s obviously given them the time to get that pressure with the goal.”

Cook's goal on the half-hour, smashing home the loose ball after Bobby Pointon's shot was blocked, was City's only shot on target.

Alexander said: “When we did have opportunities, in the second half especially, whichever attacker had the ball was almost left to it to not expose anything in our defensive structure.

“We need to get that balance right but I can understand the players being like that.

“If we see the game out with a 1-0 win, it’s a solid away performance and we’re all happy about the three points after the last couple of games.

“Unfortunately a set-piece can happen at any time against any opponent. It’s the great leveller in professional football and they’ve managed to nick one at the end.

“I didn’t feel our goal was under any real danger in the second half. So for it to come in that fashion is disappointing.

“We just had to look after the ball a bit better. But that will come – we’ll learn our lessons all the time.”

Calum Kavanagh, who had been named on the bench, also pulled out late after feeling his quad during the warm-up.