It was a disappointing afternoon for the Sky Blues Under-23s, as they fell to a narrow defeat to Crewe Alexandra at the Alan Higgs Centre.
It was the visitors who had the first opportunity of the game and it was a chance from distance by the Crewe central midfielder, and he stung the palms of Tom Billson, who gathered.
Wesley Jobello had the Sky Blues first effort, but it wasn’t troubling the Crewe ‘keeper as his shot sailed over the bar.
It was the winger on the other flank, Will Bapaga who had the best chance of the half as he was on the end of a ball into the box and his shot looked for all the world to be heading in, but it was cleared off the line.
Just before the break Crewe went close to breaking the deadlock, but Billson was on hand to get down low to his left and make the save.
HALF-TIME: Sky Blues 0-0 Crewe Alexandra
It was a quiet start to the second half and chances were few and far between, with Crewe going close with a ball flashed across goal, but nobody could get on the end of it.
However it was the visitors who took the lead and it was a corner whipped in and it was slotted home to give Crewe a 1-0 lead with just over fifteen minutes remaining.
City looked for an immediate response and they had a flurry of chances and it was Dan Bartlett who will be wondering how he didn’t score.
Firstly a ball into the box by Jordan Young was met by Bartlett and his header was kept out and then another late run again at the back post was hit on the volley by the midfielder and again the Crewe ‘keeper produced a stunning save.
The attacks kept coming and this time it was the Trialist who had a chance but his effort was deflected behind for a corner which the visitors cleared.
City were unable to find an equaliser and ultimately fell short as they slipped to a defeat against the Railwaymen.
Sky Blues Xl: Tom Billson (GK), Jack Burroughs, Blaine Rowe, Jordon Thompson, Josh Reid, Jordan Young, Dan Bartlett, Jonny Ngandu (C), Will Bapaga, Fabio Tavares (70' Trialist), Wesley Jobello (65' Lafferty).
Subs: Cian Tyler (GK), Joe Newton, Dan Lafferty, Jay McGrath, Trialist.