A youthful City under-18s side - which finished the game with eight under-16s on the field - fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to Burton Albion.
Despite a late consolation goal from Adrian Mangulabnan, the young Bantams could not keep out four opposing strikes which saw them leave their Woodhouse Grove training base empty handed.
Sam Rose’s side broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when striker Yewo Nyirenda struck past City goalkeeper Darryl Ombang from close range.
The Brewers then extended their lead deep into added time at the end of the first half when a long-range strike from Callum Niven found the back of the net - to give the visitors a two-goal cushion heading into the interval.
Ben McLean added a third for Burton 56 minutes in when his volley flew past Ombang.
Nine minutes later and the visitors were four in front, when Jakub Niemczyk’s header found the bottom corner.
The 67th minute of the contest saw City’s under-16 twins Jay and Nathan Tinsdale make their under-18 debuts - having been at the club since under-9s.
The young Bantams grabbed a goal for themselves in the 85th minute when first-half substitute Adrian Mangulabnan capped off a fine move to get on the scoresheet, as Mark Trueman’s boys salvaged some late pride.
CITY: Darryl Ombang; Casey Breaks (withdrawn 83’), Leke Ajibode (Ian Kamga 76’), George Thewlis © (Jay Tinsdale 67’), Edward Ogunkoya; Harvey Ormerod, Curtis Broadfield (Adrian Mangulabnan 38’), Freddy Jeffreyes, Dylan Youmbi (Nathan Tinsdale 67’); Yahaya Tunkara, Bobby Pointon (Diankhi Ti Sethi 57’).
GOALS: Adrian Mangulabnan (85’).
BURTON: Nykah Liburd-Hines; Ben McLean, Jakub Niemczyk, Ben Radcliffe, Luke Redfern; Thierry Latty-Fairweather © (Huw Emery 67’), Said Idovarab, Matty Richardson (Jonjo Power 55’), Yewo Nyirenda (Tommy Hill 67’); Charlie Williams, Callum Niven (Braedeen Noon-Brandy 67’).
GOALS: Yewo Nyirenda (34’), Callum Niven (45+4’), Ben McLean (56’), Jakub Niemczyk (65’).