Just how many black cats has Shaun Goater run over between home and Manchester City's Maine Road ground?

He must surely be into double figures if his recent run of bad luck in front of goal is anything to go by, writes Matt Westcott.

The Bermudian striker fired another blank against Bradford City last night but still helped his side go top of the league - albeit for 24 hours - with a 2-0Darren victory.

Goater has gone three games without scoring and is stuck on 29 goals, one shy of a new season record for the frontman.

He had chances aplenty against Walsall last weekend, Birmingham in midweek and again last night against the Bantams at Valley Parade.

Darren Huckerby and new man Jon Macken, on as an 80th minute substitute for Goater, got the goals, the latter in the last minute.

Goater saw a header flash wide with 20 minutes gone and then he drilled the ball wide of the post in the 62nd minute after Huckerby's initial shot had come back off the post.

Alan Combe, in the Bradford goal, then denied the forward from close range but he was well beaten in the 68th minute. However, Goater's goal touch totally eluded him for after rounding the 'keeper he put the ball into the side netting.

"We could have been talking about a four or five-nil win on the chances we created," said boss Kevin Keegan. "We twice hit the post and I don't know how many saves the 'keeper put in. But you sometimes have to win games when the chances are not flying in."