City’s second string continued their fine recent form with a comprehensive 2 – 0 win over visitors Bolton.

A nervous opening saw Trotters striker Aaron Mooy and winger Michael O’Halloran register shots on goal but thankfully both soft enough for keeper Giraldo to gather comfortably.

As the half wore on City made their superiority count. Recent first team debutant Abdisalam Ibrahim seeing his low powerful drive tipped wide in the 33^rd minute by visiting goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

This dominance was converted into a half time lead just seconds before the interval, when City striker Alex Nimely pounced on a weak Chris Stokes back-header to find himself clean through on goal. He made no mistake from the edge of the box, firing low into the corner.

The second half started as the first had finished, with Robbie Mak a handful on the right wing and Andrew Tutte pulling the strings in midfield.

A back line consisting of Academy graduate Nedum Onuoha, and two who have also recently made the transition - Dedryck Boyata and Greg Cunningham - proved too much for an inexperienced Bolton side to overcome.

The third of the trio to have recently stepped up to Mancini’s first team, Ibrahim, doubled the lead in the 72nd minute and did his first team chances no harm with a vicious drive from 25 yards out.

Tonight’s win keeps the pressure on reserve league rivals United and Liverpool, and some members' recent first team experience will ensure that pressure is maintained throughout the season.