CITY’S fantastic form goes on after they chalked up yet another victory last night against Mansfield at Valley Parade.

Here are five talking points from win number five.

DEFENSIVE TALISMAN

Niall Canavan boasts a 100 per cent record when he plays the full game for City – five starts, five wins.

He has settled smoothly into the back four and offers a calm and commanding presence.

Canavan came with a good reputation at this level after winning promotion last season with Plymouth and it’s easy to see why.

He does the job without frills – heads it, clears it and barks clear instructions to those around him. The big man at the back is proving a pivotal capture from the January window.

HARD YARDS

City’s latest win was far from a classic.

There was nothing convincing about the fifth successive victory, achieved with grit and digging deep rather than flair and flamboyance.

How close did Mansfield captain Ollie Clarke come to bursting the balloon with his flick header late on that flashed so narrowly beyond the far post?

There is little to choose between most teams in the division and games are often settled by small margins. Another single-goal victory will help to keep feet firmly on the floor and heads out the clouds.

WHAT NO SHOTS?

Mansfield had a couple of close calls – especially when Jason Law smacked the post after just two minutes - but registered nothing that was actually on target.

City have restored that stinginess to their defensive play that Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars insist upon.

Walsall’s only on-target effort on Saturday was their goal; similarly Cheltenham and Leyton Orient managed just a single direct attempt apiece.

The Bantams backline continue to employ an effective straight-jacket on opposing attacks.

ROWE REVIVED

Danny Rowe needed to deliver after Trueman’s comments questioning his drop in standards.

The striker did just that with a classy finish that he made look easy to convert from Niall Canavan’s header.

Rowe admitted himself that he was “awful” at Walsall at the weekend and with no Andy Cook, he had to step it up.

He did just that and impressed the bosses not just with his shooting sharpness but the way he was prepared to work hard for the team in closing down defenders.

It will be interesting to see who starts up front against Bolton on Saturday.

SAFETY FIRST

Four more points and Trueman and Sellars might start talking league tables!

The “survival is paramount” mantra continued to be trotted out by Trueman after a fifth straight victory.

Staying up was the only target when the pair took over in December – something that both can publicly admit has been achieved as and when City reach the 50-point mark, which is always regarded as the safety mark.

Realistically, that goal was reached a while back. The Bantams are now 20 clear of the drop zone – double the distance to Cheltenham at the League Two summit!