Phil Parkinson was happy with City’s competitive work-out against Blackburn.

Parkinson felt his side acquitted themselves well against the Championship outfit in this afternoon’s goalless draw at Valley Parade.

He said: “It was a very competitive game. With the greatest respect to Shelbourne, this was a big jump today.

“It was a big step-up in quality but I thought we did well. We restricted them to very little in the second half, defended well and looked dangerous.

“We got in some good positions but didn’t quite make the most of them. But all in all, physically it was a good work-out for us.”

Raffaele De Vita was forced off just before half-time in his bid to persuade Parkinson to offer him another deal.

Parkinson added: “Raffa had a slight thigh strain, which was a shame for him.”