Graham Alexander's men fell to a 5-1 defeat to league leaders Mansfield Town at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Mansfield netted three within seven first-half minutes thanks to Baily Cargill, Lucas Akins and Davis Keillor-Dunn, with Will Swan adding a fourth in the first-half stoppage-time minutes.
City got one back in the 72nd minute through Andy Cook, but an Aaron Lewis strike five minutes before the end of normal time condemned City to a heavy defeat.
The Bantams started well, building up on the left-hand side with Jamie Walker and Lewis Richards.
Walker’s whipped cross was met by Tyler Smith, who saw his glancing effort bounce inches wide as the hosts began the better side.
Alas, it was the visitors who took the lead just before the 10th-minute mark through Cargill.
The hosts took advantage of a free-kick which was curled into City’s area by Stephen Quinn, who saw his ball headed home by Cargill at the back post to open the scoring.
Although the Bantams fought back after conceding, the away side doubled their lead in the 14th minute through Akins.
From a corner, Quinn hit the post and Cargill saw his shot hacked off the line by Ciarán Kelly in a goalmouth scramble, but the clearance was only as far as Akins, who doubled Mansfield's lead.
The away side continued to push forward and added a third in the 17th minute through Keillor-Dunn.
Nigel Clough's men countered effectively, with Swan’s through ball played into Keillor-Dunn who slotted into the back of the net.
In stoppage time of the first half, Will Swan netted for the visitors, who went into the half-time break 4-0 up.
An optimistic cross-cum-shot from Lewis Richards almost gave City hope, as the Bantams looked to attack as play resumed for the second half.
Good link-up play down the left resulted in a Richards cross to the back post, where Clarke Oduor was found in space, but proved unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
City did get themselves on the scoresheet through Cook, who was one of three changes with half an hour remaining.
Fellow introduction Harry Chapman beat his man down the right hand-side, whipping in a teasing ball into the area, where Cook was on-hand to bundle the ball into the back of the net.
Coming into the closing stages, City looked to build momentum following their goal, but the away side were able to grab a fifth goal in last few minutes through substitute Aaron Lewis, who converted a rebound after seeing his initial effort saved by Sam Walker, as the Bantams fell to a 5-1 defeat.
CITY: Sam Walker, Liam Ridehalgh (Kevin McDonald 25’), Richie Smallwood (C), Jamie Walker (Andy Cook 62’), Alex Gilliead, Clarke Oduor (Harry Chapman 62’), Tyler Smith, Ciarán Kelly (Daniel Oyegoke 82’), Jonathan Tomkinson, Lewis Richards, Tyreik Wright (Calum Kavanagh 62’). Unused subs: Colin Doyle, Brad Halliday.
GOAL: Cook (72’)
MANSFIELD: Christy Pym, Baily Cargill (Stephen McLaughlin 46’), Lucas Akins (James Gale 82’), Jordan Bowery, Aden Flint (C), Stephen Quinn (Aaron Lewis 65’), Lewis Brunt, Louis Reed, Will Swan (Tom Nicholls 77’), Davis Keillor-Dunn (George Maris 46’), Hiram Boateng. Unused subs: Scott Flinders, Geroge Williams.
GOALS: Cargill (10’), Akins (14’), Keillor-Dunn (17’), Swan (45+2’), Lewis (84’).
