KENNY Black felt City found the right mix as they booked their place in the Checkatrade Trophy knock-out stages.

First-half goals from Adam Thompson and Alex Jones proved enough to earn a 2-1 success over Manchester City's development side last night in front of a Valley Parade crowd of just 1,260.

A second straight win in Group F ensured the Bantams will qualify for the second round, even though they still have another home game to come against Rotherham next month.

Assistant boss Black said: "The format of this tournament allows us to play first-team lads who've probably not seen as much football as they would like, as well as introduce the under-23s who have been doing well recently.

"We had a nice mixture out there. I felt the experienced lads helped the younger ones and vice versa. It was another important result for us.

"We started in a really positive manner and could have possibly been more than 2-0 up at half-time.

"But one thing about Man City as the game opened up in the second half, they created us a few problems. But we expected them to come into it."

Wingers Jordan Gibson and Tyrell Robinson both impressed on their first senior starts.

Black said: "The two wide men caught the eye. People just like to see wide players be direct and get crosses in and that was important for us."

Defender Jacob Hanson limped off after over-stretching his groin, while Luke Hendrie was also taken off at half-time as a precaution.

Jones netted his fourth goal of the season and third in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Black said: "Alex is an honest lad and works hard in training. He's probably been a bit frustrated that he's been limited in regards to his first-team participation.

"Shay McCartan is another one and that was also a really important 90 minutes for him to get under his belt. It's important that these lads step up to the plate."