DAVID Hopkin watched City bow out the Checkatrade Trophy at Barnsley and admitted: We should have beaten them.

The Bantams had to win by two to go through to the second round.

But having scored first through David Ball, they went down 2-1 to George Moncur’s double for the hosts.

City once again created plenty of chances and had an effort from Kai Bruenker ruled out for offside.

Jack Payne also hit the bar from a free-kick given for a deliberate backpass, which they felt had crossed the line.

Hopkin said: “We’ve scored a fantastic goal early from David Ball. That’ll do his confidence a world of good.

“It was a great finish but then we switch off and give a poor goal away.

“After that, for 10 minutes in the second half Barnsley played well and scored. But from then on, I felt we controlled the game.

“We’ve probably had 17-18 chances – and we need to start taking them.

“Kai Bruenker’s goal was onside and the goalie has dropped the ball over the line. That should have been a goal.

“The ref gives a free-kick and Jack hits the bar from it. There are just wee things that we need to do better but I’m delighted with the performance.

“You could see with the fitness levels. There was only one team towards the end who looked like they’d go on and score.

“There are bigger priorities (than the Checkatrade Trophy) but I don’t like getting beaten in games.

“I just felt that tonight we should have won with the amount of chances we had.”