City's second-string remain pointless in the Pontin's Holidays League after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Bradford City last night.

The match saw defenders Colin Hawkins and David McNamee step-up their comebacks from injury, although the former was forced to withdraw after just eight minutes with an Achilles problem.

Right-back McNamee came through the final 35 minutes of the game unscathed though, and returns to manager Iain Dowie's plans for Saturday's first-team trip to Ipswich.

Liam Davis could have given the Sky Blues on the half-hour when his dangerous run and shot was well saved by home 'keeper Ben Saynor, while at the other end, Danny Ireland was alert to save Bradford trialist Willy Topp's effort.

Wayne Andrews, boasting two goals in two starts for the reserves this season, almost made it three in three two minutes before the break but his fierce volley crashed back off the crossbar.

And City were left cursing their luck as the Bantams found the net just seconds later when Topp latched onto a long ball and coolly fired past Ireland.

The games ebbed and flowed in the second-half, but neither side managed to create any clear cut chances.

There was good and bad news in the 55th minute though, when the returning McNamee replaced youngster Liam Francis, who in turn was forced off with a broken nose after a clash of heads.

Bradford: Saynor, Morgan, O'Brien, Bentham (Griffiths), Hopkins, Ainge (Smith), Penford, Topp (Osborne), Joynes, Medley, Taylforth. Subs (Not Used): Convey, Sharry.

Coventry: Ireland, Robinson, Francis (McNamee, 55), Fitzharris, Hawkins (Walker, 8), Turner, Burtoft, Hildreth, Simmonds, Andrews, Davis. Subs (Not Used): Burgess, Grandison, Ashraf.