City’s under-18s fell to a 5-3 defeat against Notts County - in a thrilling EFL Youth Alliance North East affair.
Two goals each for Syme Mulvany and Tyreace Palmer - as well as Sam Geeves’ effort - were enough to see off the young Bantams, who had taken the lead, at the Highfields Sports Complex.
Mark Trueman’s side took the lead after 18 minutes when Raj Palit’s pinpoint free-kick was headed in by defender Sam Bentley.
The East Midlands outfit netted an equaliser when Mulvany’s strike from outside the box flew past City goalkeeper Tom Donaghy.
The Magpies went onto take the lead just after the interval when Mulvany added his second of the game from close range.
Just three minutes later and the hosts added another - this time through Geeves, after the ball fell kindly at his feet from a free-kick.
The Bantams then hit back thanks to full-back Harvey Rowe, who netted a sublime solo effort.
However, two minutes later, County restored their two-goal cushion.
A mix-up in the Bantams defence allowed skipper Palmer to find the top corner.
The hosts made the points secure with a fifth towards the end of the game, as Palmer blasted past Donaghy - just inside the 18-yard box - for his second of the game.
City bagged themselves a late goal when Dylan Youmbi’s cross was turned in by Connor Morris.
The Bantams proved unable to stage a miraculous late fightback, though, and it was the home side who came away with the victory.
CITY: Tom Donaghy; Harvey Rowe, Sam Bentley, Harvey Ormerod (George Thewlis 46’), Oliver Norman (Leke Ajibode 59’); Raj Palit, Olivier Sukiennicki (Yahaya Tunkara 74’), Charlie Wood ©, Bobby Pointon (Dylan Youmbi 59’); Cole Roberts, Connor Morris. Subs (not used): Taknaka Maumbe.
GOALS: Sam Bentley (18’), Harvey Rowe (64’), Connor Morris (90+5’).
NOTTS COUNTY: Bill Harrison; Ben Garwood, Emillio Stavrou (Rame Gjeraj 88’), James Snedden, Morgan Mellors; Ashaiah Fearon, Ben Sandhu (Jakub Kruszynski 67’), Sam Geeves (Taylor Conway 76’), Tyreace Palmer ©; Syme Mulvany, Cameron Smith (Archie Whitehall 88’). Subs (not used): Lloyd Horridge.
GOALS: Syme Mulvany (33, 50’), Sam Geeves (53’), Tyreace Palmer (66, 89’).