Mark Hughes on Bradford City's play-off defeat at Carlisle United

And the Bantams boss confessed the Blues are a hard team to play against because of their style.

Bradford lost the semi-final second leg 3-1 after extra-time, and 3-2 on aggregate, at a packed Brunton Park, as United booked a Wembley final against Stockport County.

On Ben Barclay’s winner, Hughes said: “We just made an error when the ball came into the box. We had enough numbers there and we should have done better.

“We should have done better with all the goals in fairness, but that can happen.

“There were balls that we didn't deal with correctly and you need that luck to make sure they go the wrong side of the post because if luck is against you, they go in and unfortunately that is what happened to us.”

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Hughes, speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, felt his side worked their way back into the contest against the Blues as things went on.

“It was a difficult game and it is not easy to play Carlisle. They hit it long and they compete for every ball,” he added.

“Things drop in midfield areas and it gets hooked on and it gets very difficult to get a foothold in the game.

“I thought we did that towards the end of the game and started to get a grip so that we had the better of the game in the second half. But the way we conceded the goals was the story of the day really.

"If you look at the timings of the goals and the one we scored, it's illustrated that it's difficult to play when you are tired and you don't quite think as clearly as you should do.

“That is what happens when you make mistakes. Your decision-making is affected by the effort you put into the game.

“Teams were making mistakes and mistiming clearances and we benefitted from that for our goal.

“They just had a moment at the death which we could have dealt with better and should have done.”