A City side was beaten 2-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Utilita Energy Stadium, by Brentford B.
The Premier League club’s reserve outfit, who triumphed in the London Senior Cup Final last Tuesday, came out victorious thanks to a first-half header from Myles Peart-Harris and a second-half strike from Ryan Trevitt.
The fixture provided Mark Hughes with the opportunity to rotate his squad and offer minutes to a number of first-team players.
The Bantams started on the front foot with chances for both Nathan Delfouneso and Andy Cook, before the latter then had a drilled effort at the near post well stopped by Brentford goalkeeper Matthew Cox.
Chances were however enjoyed at both ends, and the Bees came close to taking the lead when Nathan Young-Coombes attempted an audacious long-range half-volley which looped over City’s trialist goalkeeper and onto the roof of the net.
Both sides continued to create opportunities, as Cook lashed wide for the Bantams midway through the opening period before the visitors had a goal chalked off for offside 10 minutes later.
The West London outfit did however break the deadlock a few minutes before the break, as Alex Gilbert raced through on goal.
City’s trialist managed to stop his initial effort, but could only parry into the path of former Chelsea academy product Peart-Harris, who headed into the back of the empty net.
The hosts did have an opportunity to draw level on the stroke of half-time, but Fiacre Kelleher swept narrowly over from a corner.
The second period saw the Bantams again take the front foot in an attempt to get themselves back into the game, but goal-scoring opportunities were at more of a premium.
Brentford had another goal chalked off just before the hour mark, before City took the opportunity to afford several members of their title-winning under-19s side game time, with Harvey Rowe, Charlie Wood, Bobby Pointon, Jack Wilson and Cole Roberts all introduced.
The visitors added their second on 76 minutes to make sure of the victory, when Ryan Trevitt was allowed space in the area to find the back of the net, after the Bantams failed to clear their lines.
City pushed for a goal as the game entered the final 10 minutes, with substitute Roberts trying his luck from range, but Brentford held out for the triumph.
CITY: Trialist (GK); Levi Sutton, Fiacre Kelleher, Reece Staunton, Matty Foulds (Bobby Pointon 65’); Callum Cooke (Charlie Wood 61’), Gareth Evans (Harvey Rowe 60’); Nathan Delfouneso (Cole Roberts 71’), Kian Scales, Caolan Lavery (Jack Wilson 69’); Andy Cook (Theo Robinson 46’). SUBS (not used): Heath Richardson (GK).