But sometimes youthful exuberance and hunger are potent weapons and so it proved as the Blues ground out a gritty, goalless draw.
It was the second successive 0-0 score line following the stalemate against Everton but the result extended City’s unbeaten league run to five games.
Both sides went close to scoring but Alex Nimely, fresh from his first team debut in the 6-1 romp over Rovers’ bitter rivals Burnley; saw one effort blocked and Ibrahim and Chris Chantler both shot narrowly wide.
Kieran Trippier rescued City at the other end with potential goal saving challenges first on Grant Hanley and then Junior Hoilett.
Chimbonda for Rovers and City’s David Ball each went close in injury time but the defences remained on top.
It was a decent point for the Blues second string against a powerful East Lancashire side that contained a handful of Premier League luminaries including Ryan Nelsen, Pascal Chimbonda, Vincenzo Grella and Brett Emerton.
CITY: Gonzalez, Trippier, Chantler, Ibrahim, Vidal, Wabara, Mak, Kay, Nimely, Tutte and Ball.
