The Sky Blues took another big step in preparations for the season opener with Nottingham Forest against Mansfield Town.
On a rainy evening in Nottinghamshire, the first chance of the game came in the opening minute when Jodi Jones’s delicate chipped free kick found Trialist A at the back post, only for him to glance his header wide.
In a lively opening, Mansfield’s first opportunity fell to Danny Johnson, the ball fell to the midfielder on the edge of the six-yard box, but he could only fire his shot wide of Ben Wilson’s left hand post.
Will Bagapa intercepted Farrend Rawson’s loose ball and his hard work was unlucky not be rewarded as Tyler Walker’s shot was denied by Manchester United loanee Nathan Bishop in the Stags net.
The Stags’ response would see Ben Wilson into action as the City ‘keeper did well to hold Oli Hawkins’ header, after the forward was well found from Stephen McLaughlin’s corner.
Johnson would drag another shot wide for the home side before Josh Reid’s ball over the top found Walker, but with his second opportunity of the match, his rising shot just alluded Bishop’s top right-hand corner.
Jones would be the next to try his luck with his effort going just wide of the post as the Sky Blues pushed to find the opening goal of the game, of which they deserved
HALF TIME: MANSFIELD TOWN 0-0 SKY BLUES
Mansfield would be the first to go close as James Perch’s cross found Stephen Quinn at the back post, but the Irishman fired his volley over the goal.
The home side took the lead as Johnson’s cut back found George Lapslie who fired in from close range to give the Stags the lead.
Julian Dacosta’s darting run into the box earned City a corner, from which Walker could only put his header wide as the Sky Blues looked for a reply.
City made a quadruple substitution just after the hour mark and Enobakhare made an instant impact winning a free kick on the edge of the box, but Ben Sheaf’s effort was headed away.
However, Enobakhare would pick up the ball on the touchline skipping past two defenders before his shot went behind for a corner.
At the other end Jordan Bowery’s powerful strike was well saved by Wilson and the ‘keeper was determined to keep the Sky Blues in the game, getting down well to deny Bowery moments later.
FULL TIME: MANSFIELD TOWN 1-0 SKY BLUES
SCORERS: Lapslie (49’)
ATTENDANCE: 2539 (368 AWAY SUPPORTERS)
Sky Blues Xl: Ben Wilson (GK) (C), Julien Dacosta (Tavares 62’), Declan Drysdale (Trialist C 62’), Trialist A, Josh Reid, Trialist B (Rowe 62’), Ben Sheaf (Evans-Harriott 75’), Ryan Howley, Jodi Jones (Enobakhare 62’), Will Bapaga (Rus 75’), Tyler Walker (Nee 75’)
Subs: Simon Moore (GK), Blaine Rowe, Trialist C, Marco Rus, Aaron Evans-Harriott, Bright Enobakhare, Harrison Nee, Fabio Tavares.
Mansfield Town XI: Nathan Bishop, Stephen McLaughlin, Elliott Hewitt, Farrend Rawson, Ollie Clarke (Hewitt 68’), George Maris (Sinclair 75’), Danny Johnson (Bowery 75’), Oli Hawkins (Burke 75’), James Perch, Stephen Quinn (Stirk 62), George Lapslie (Oates 68’)
Subs: Marek Stech, Jordan Bowery, Ryan Burke, Tyrese Sinclair, Rhys Oates, James Clarke, Ryan Stirk