FOR a long time, it looked to be shaping up for a three-horse race for automatic promotion.

Scunthorpe had been locked in League One's top three from the off, topping the table for most of the time.

But they have suddenly hit the skids with only one win in 11 games to drop just below City in fifth – their lowest position.

They have also kept only one clean sheet since the Boxing Day stalemate with the Bantams.

While boss Graham Alexander is not publicly giving up on second spot, the Iron's realistic goal now is remaining in the play-offs and ensuring they don't miss out altogether.

A late win over Rochdale in the last home game suggested a corner had been turned – only to lose to a stoppage-time goal at Oxford after leading.

Alexander hopes the big stage of facing another promotion-chaser on live TV tomorrow can help his floundering troops pick themselves up once more.

"We have to showcase what we are about and we have had a good few days' training to nail down what we believe are the right things to do," he said.

"We will go into the Bradford game full of confidence and we are still knocking on the door.

"Whoever we play is irrelevant because we just need the three points. But obviously it is a big game because we are both in the play-off positions, so that side of it you are putting three points on your total and taking three points off a rival."

Scunthorpe's slump has coincided with Josh Morris slowing down in his prolific campaign.

The former City midfielder has scored 20 goals so far – but only one in his last nine appearances.

Morris came back from injury in last week's defeat at Oxford and is hoping to bounce back against his former club.

He said: "I still keep in touch with a few of the lads there, so it will be nice to get one over on them."