Attacking duo Alex Jones and Omari Patrick both made a welcome return from injury this Tuesday in City's Development Squad fixture with Rotherham United.
The forwards played a half each at Rotherham's Roundwood training ground in City's latest Central League (reserve) fixture.
The Millers ran out 2-0 winners in the game, with Akeem Hinds and Jerry Yates (pen) scoring for Rotherham in the first period.
After just under four months out with an ankle injury, Jones was named in City's starting XI alongside fellow pros Lukas Raeder, Daniel Devine, Jacob Hanson, Ellis Hudson, Callum Gunner, Joel Grodowski and Jordan Gibson.
Recent signing Cameron Hawkes was also named in the Development Squad line up.
Raeder made smart stops to deny Yates and Joshua Kayode during the first half, but the German shot-stopper was powerless to prevent Hinds opening the scoring for the hosts.
Hinds connected with a far post cross twelve minutes in to give the Millers the breakthrough.
At the other end, Rotherham 'keeper Lewis Price had to be alert later in the half to repel a powerful drive from Hawkes.
Rotherham doubled their lead three minutes before the interval when Yates converted from the spot after Kayode had been felled in the box.
Jones was then replaced at half time by Patrick.
Daniel Pybus, who recently enjoyed a loan spell with near neighbours Bradford Park Avenue, was also introduced ahead of the restart for Gibson.
Following his good save to deny Hawkes in the first period, Price was called upon again early after the break to keep out a strike from Hudson.
The Millers could have added a third on the hour mark but Raeder produced a brilliant point-blank save after Jake Southern-Cooper had struck for goal from close range.
A minute or so before, Daniel Devine - who was playing as part of a three-man defence on the day - produced a brilliant recovery challenge to deny Yates when the striker looked likely to score.
Ben Purrington then headed narrowly wide following Jack Osborne's cross into the box twelve minutes from the end.
On his return to action from a knee injury picked up in January, Patrick saw an effort from range kept out by Price soon after.
TEAM | Raeder, Farrar, Hefele, Devine, Hanson, Hudson (Powell 60), Hawkes, Gunner, Gibson (Pybus 46), Grodowski (Birchall 60), Jones (Patrick 46)
Subs not used | Darke (GK)