First-half goals from Liam Davis and Michael Mifsud helped a strong City reserve team see off Peterborough at the Ryton Training Ground.

Under the watching eyes of new first-team boss Iain Dowie and assistant Tim Flowers, Academy manager Steve Ogrizovic took charge and gave several first-team stars a chance to impress ahead of Saturday's Championship trip to Norwich.

Striker Mifsud and midfield talisman Isaac Osbourne, who both appeared as second-half substitutes during last night's enthralling 2-1 victory over Southampton, each completed 45 minutes.

Chris Birchall and on loan stars Adam Virgo and Luke Steele also enjoyed run-outs against a youthful Peterborough outfit.

The Sky Blues looked to make their extra experience pay from the word go and with just three minutes gone, they were awarded a penalty after Mifsud was upended in the area.

Utility man Virgo, playing alongside the pint-sized Maltese international in attack, stepped-up to take the spot-kick but saw his effort saved by Posh's Iraqi 'keeper Shwan Jalal.

However, the home side finally made their superiority count in the 24^th minute when Davis sent a curling shot beyond Jalal after good work from Academy starlet Andy Gooding.

Birchall then fired narrowly wide from a tight angle before Mifsud forced a good stop from Jalal following a mazy run which began in his own half.

A fruitful morning for Davis ended in the 39^th minute when the tricky winger limped off with a leg injury, but there was still time before the interval for the Sky Blues to double their advantage.

Full-back Ryan Lynch aimed a teasing cross to the front-post and Mifsud reacted quickest, sending a firm header into the top corner.

City replaced their experience with youth at the break and continued to create the better chances, although they found Jalal in inspired form.

The big 'keeper pulled off a remarkable save to deny Lynch's downward header before racing off his line to block at the feet of Gooding.

Virgo then saw a powerful drive from the edge of the area clawed over the crossbar, while substitute Dave Burtoft was denied when his shot was cleared off the line after rounding Jalal.

Another substitute, striker Reis Ashraf flashed another effort wide late on as City struggled to add a third goal, but by that time victory was already assured.

City: Steele (Lee-Barrett, 46), Lynch, Bunce, Turner, Giddings, Birchall, Gooding, Osbourne (Hildreth, 46), Davis (Jones, 39), Virgo (Duggan, 75), Mifsud (Ashraf, 46).