FOOTBALL’S ability to deliver the unexpected will probably turn up a high-scoring shoot-out at the Memorial Stadium this weekend.

But don’t bank on it.

Having netted just once in their five-game losing run, City must now try to unlock the tightest defence in the bottom half of League One.

Bristol Rovers have conceded only 45 goals so far, 24 fewer than the Bantams, and keeper Jack Bonham boasts 17 clean sheets. It was no surprise that he was named the players’ player of the year at the Rovers award ceremony in midweek.

Their problem this season has been at the other end, where only Wimbledon have scored less than their current goal tally of 41.

It means that Rovers’ games are the lowest-scoring in the whole division with just 86 in total.

That is despite the efforts of Jonson Clarke-Harris, who is already up to nine after signing from Coventry on January deadline day.

The striker netted nine in eight games during March, including a hat-trick against Blackpool, which has earned him a nomination for the League One player of the month.

He is up against Peterborough’s Marcus Maddison, Lucas Akins of Burton and Barnsley’s Dimitri Cavare.

That 4-0 thumping of Blackpool was Rovers’ only win in eight home games. Sat in 16th, they are still teetering nervously above the drop zone with a slender three-point cushion.

Graham Coughlan’s men have not won in five, drawing three of them, and face a crucial run now with Wimbledon and Rochdale to face over Easter.

The former defensive coach initially took the reins in mid-December when Rovers sacked Darrell Clarke after nearly four years in charge.

Coughlan was beaten in his first game in charge at Sunderland but then suffered only one loss in the next 10 games after being made permanent manager.

The Dubliner remains confident Rovers will steer clear of danger.

He said: “I do honestly believe there is a Blackpool in the making. I hope it comes in the next game because they are building something here."