RORY McArdle believes City can continue to sneak into the League One play-off mix by stealth.

The Bantams sit just behind the pack in tenth but they are only a point off sixth-placed Rochdale.

A win over Scunthorpe at Valley Parade this afternoon could propel them into a play-off spot for Christmas if other results go their way – and the group of clubs immediately above them all face tricky fixtures.

Rochdale host Notts County, who are seventh, while Oldham and Peterborough tackle top-four opposition in MK Dons and Preston respectively.

City are chasing a third league win on the bounce and McArdle feels they are capable of creeping up unnoticed on their rivals.

The central defender said: “We can’t get carried away. but we’re in good form and we’ve got to keep going about our business as we are.

“I think we’re flying under the radar a little bit, which is not a bad thing. It would be great if we were in the top six at Christmas.

“The games come thick and fast now. We’re playing three times in ten days and that’s nine points up for grabs.

“Add those on to our total and you’re suddenly bang up there. The stakes are massive.

“Look at the table three or four weeks ago and it could have gone either way for us. But credit to the lads that we didn’t get down and have concentrated on slowly bouncing back.”

McArdle was particularly pleased with the shut-out in last week’s win at Chesterfield. It was the first time City had stopped their opponents from scoring for 11 games.

He added: “As a defender, we get paid to keep the ball out of the net. Everybody looks at the amount of goals we’ve conceded and generally it will be the goalkeeper and back four who get the fingers pointed at.

“But you look at the performance last week and how everyone did their bit. It started from the front and the midfield four in front of us worked really hard as well.

“If they are doing their bit, it makes our job a hell of a lot easier. I thought we defended very well when called upon and everyone was buzzing to keep a clean sheet.

“The most frustrating games are the ones where the other team haven’t created much and then suddenly score from their only chance. You’ve done all the hard work and it’s for nothing.

“But last week we got that one bit of quality from Clarkey (Billy Clarke) and then saw it out to win 1-0. That’s the perfect away performance.”