THE Bantams' interest in this season's FA Youth Cup ended at the first-round stage with a 3-0 home defeat to Blackpool.

Goals from Ben Jacobson, Owen Watkinson and Dylan Sumner saw the Tangerines to a comfortable success at Valley Parade.

Both sides started the tie at a ferocious pace, with City looking to get willing runner Casey Taglione into space behind the Blackpool defence whenever possible.

A forceful run from the attacker saw him eventually brought down just outside the area after he'd beaten three players. Matthew Birchall's resulting free-kick flew just wide of the post.

Watkinson headed over from close range for Blackpool, while Taglione also went close with a header.

Finlay Sinclair-Smith saw an effort from just outside the area deflect over the bar. And from the resulting corner, Jacobson gave the visitors the lead just over ten minutes before the break when he rifled home a loose ball.

Blackpool doubled their lead before half-time when Watkinson powered a header home following Nathan Shaw's near-post cross.

The Bantams had a great opportunity to get themselves back into the match less than a minute after the restart when Birchall capitalised on a loose touch from William Avon around the edge of the box.

Birchall looked to lob the ball over advancing keeper Craig Thordarson but he stood up tall to make the block.

Blackpool threatened when Sykes-Kenworthy's under-hit pass was pounced on by Rowan Roache, who picked out William Dunne in the middle but the Bantams keeper redeemed himself with a brave block.

City went close following Josef Hefele's testing ball in behind. Taglione caused problems in the visiting defence as he stretched to reach Hefele's pass and Thordarson failed to hold on to the ball before Reece Powell fired wide.

The hosts moved to three at the back but Blackpool still looked in control.

The impressive Sinclair-Smith forced a low save from Sykes-Kenworthy before the Seasiders made sure of their progression three minutes from the time when Sumner pounced for the visitors' third.

Sykes-Kenworthy blocked substitute Ewan Bange's effort on the line but Sumner poked home the loose ball.

City Youth: Sykes-Kenworthy (c), Milambo, Staunton, Maltby (Adams 59), Hefele, Wright, Ellington, Patience (Kirkpatrick 70), Powell, Birchall (Drovi 73), Taglione.