Omar Daley made his long-awaited return in a losing cause as City’s reserves bowed out to Oldham 1-0 in the totesport.com League Cup.

The flying winger played the opening 45 minutes at Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold ground as he recovers from knee ligament damage.

Daley has been forced to watch from the sidelines since suffering the injury back in February and his return to action in City colours will come as a welcome boost for all connected with the club.

Esdaile Biney scored the only goal after an hour against a Bantams side that also included two trialists.

Central defender Laurence Gaughan of Sheffield FC and Mike Brickhill of host club Stalybridge were handed a chance to impress the watching Stuart McCall.

City could have edged in front as early as the seventh minute thanks to quick thinking by Rory Boulding, who set up Luke Sharry with a clever flick.

Sharry raced into the box and forced Latics keeper Tomas Jones into a smart save with his legs.

Daley then exchanged passes with Boulding before firing a fierce shot across Jones’ goal which whizzed just wide of danger.

The winger picked up a booking for tugging back Djeny Bembo-Leta, having been warned earlier for a rash challenge.

Daley did not reappear for the second half and neither did defender Matt Clarke, whose troublesome back seemed to hamper his movement.