The Elite Development side missed out on the chance of going back to the top of their group when they lost 2-0 away to Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Current Academy players Courtney Meppen-Walter, Kieran Kennedy and Harry Bunn were all given a chance to impress by manager Andy Welsh for the game at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.

The hosts secured the win with goals just either side of the interval. Craig Lynch squeezed the ball under City keeper Eirik Johansen on 40 minutes, and then Ryan Noble doubled the lead four minutes into the second half after defender Reece Wabara was caught napping.

John Guidetti forced a save out of the Sunderland keeper late on, but there was no way through for City, who are back in action at home to Liverpool on Tuesday, 19 April.