GARY Bowyer says he can take plenty of positives out of his City side's Leasing.com Trophy defeat to Manchester City Under-21s.

The Bantams crashed to a narrow 2-1 loss to the youngsters from the Premier League champions.

Hope Akpan, who was made skipper for the night, scored the hosts' consolation at Valley Parade tonight.

But despite the defeat, Bowyer remained upbeat as the game gave some of his squad players the chance to stake a claim for this Saturday's starting line-up for City's game at struggling Scunthorpe United in League Two.

Match report and player ratings: Bantams 1 Man City 2

He said: "There are plenty of positives for us to to take forward.

"We always went into tonight looking to win and progress.

"We have got minutes into players like Adam Henley, Hope Akpan, Zeli Ismail and Tyler French. "I had always planned to take Ismail off at half-time."

Bowyer also had praise for tonight's opponents, as they stay top of Northern Group F after goals from captain Tommy Doyle and Morgan Rogers.

The City boss added: "They are a very, very talented bunch. They are not just taken from Manchester, but recruited worldwide."

City still have a chance to make it through the group stage when they host Rochdale on Tuesday, November 12.