BRADFORD City boss Michael Collins was critical of his side’s poor performance at Roots Hall.

The Bantams rarely threatened the Shrimpers as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat.

And Collins - who was appointed in the summer - was disappointed with City’s display.

“I’m not going to defend the performance,” Collins told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

“They wanted it more than us.

“There was more desire from them, there was more commitment to win second balls and more desire to do the ugly side of the game.

“That hurts me because it’s a difficult one to take.

“You can talk about formations and systems but you’re always going to struggle if you don’t do the basics right and do the levels of commitment required to put pressure on the man on the ball. It’s very disappointing.”

Bradford held Blues for the opening 45 minutes after withstanding a sustained spell of pressure from their hosts.

But City fell behind in the second half with Shrimpers striker Tom Hopper heading home and the visitors never looked like getting back in the game.

As a result, City have now suffered three defeats in succession and Collins is keen for the team to stick together as they bid to bounce back.

“We’re a group of lads who will take defeats together, win together and take it on the chin together,” said Collins, who included former Shrimpers Jack Payne and Josh Wright in his starting line-up.

“I’m not one of those who will come out and slate the players publicly.

“But they were told in no uncertain terms that it was unacceptable."