A youthful City under-18s side - containing two under-16s and an under-15 - fell to a 4-1 defeat to Rotherham United at the Graham Solley Sports Development Centre.
The away side struck early on but could not hold onto the lead as their Yorkshire neighbours hit four to secure the victory and leave the Bantams still in the hunt for their first points of the 2020/21 season.
Mark Trueman’s men drew first blood inside the opening quarter of an hour, from the penalty spot.
First-year scholar Dylan Youmbi showed his composure and converted the spot kick.
Despite taking an early lead, the Bantams found themselves behind as the Millers’ Ethan Kenny equalised in the 16th minute before Jerome Greaves put the hosts ahead - on the half-hour mark.
Rob Poulter’s men did not stop there, making it 3-1 eight minutes later through a Curtis Dursoe strike.
City did try to make amends as the first half drew to a close, though Rotherham added to their lead on the stroke of half-time - courtesy of Ciaran McGuckin.
With the whole of the second half to play, the young Bantams tried to conjure a comeback and get into a goal-scoring habit, but proved unable to break United’s wall of defence and came away empty handed.
CITY: Darryl Ombang; Oliver Norman, Leke Ajibode, Charlie Wood (c), Tanaka Muambe (Freddy Jeffreys 80'); Noah Wadsworth (Sam Bentley 65'), Bobby Pointon, Harvey Ormerod (Yahaya Tonkara 75'), Dylan Youmbi; Raj Palit, Cole Roberts (Sahil Bashir 80'). Subs (not used): Tom Donaghy (GK).
ROTHERHAM: Elliot Ellis; Sam Greenhouse, Nathan Exton, Mack Warne, Bolton Makwedza; Charlie Smith, Ciaran McGuckin, George Scott; Jerome Greaves, Curtis Durose, Ethan Kenny.
GOALS: Ethan Kenny (16’), Jerome Greaves (30’), Curtis Durose (38’), Ciaran McGuckin (45’).