LANCASTER faced a tough examination in a 3-0 defeat to Birmingham last Thursday. City held their own in the first half but were overrun after the break.

The friendly was part of the deal that took Chris Ward to the Midlands back in April. But the striker was unable to make a happy return due to a hamstring injury.

It was therefore left to a young Birmingham side, featuring ex-Premiership stars Frazer Digby and Graham Hyde, to turn on the style for the watching Trevor Francis.

In the opening stages City might have took the lead. Winger, Colin Potts, potentially the next big departure from the Axe, ran rings round left-back, Capaldi.

He made several threatening runs, had a decent shot turned wide, and even appeared on the right wing to pump in a cross.

Of City's stars last season, he certainly looks the most promising. Kenny Mayers was impressive last term but has a tendency to push up too far.

He could get away with it in the Unibond but not here. Hyde dispossessed the City captain and fed Miguel Sabataire on the edge of the box. The striker then produced a cute back-heel for Grundi to crash in off the bar, on the half-hour.

Thornley saved well from Carter to keep the Dolly Blues in it and City briefly looked dangerous after the break. But Birmingham then stepped up a gear.

Tall striker, Sabataire, looked merely a target-man after twice heading wide but soon destroyed that idea. Midfielder, Darren Carter, chested down a cross for the striker, which he duly thumped into the top corner from 20 yards.

City were all over the show as Craig Fagan played a one-two with Sabataire before striking the bar. After 82 minutes, Fagan then played in Carter to sidefoot under Thornley.

Whittaker failed to continue his good form by wasting City's only real chance. The striker blasted well over after Rigby's cross on 69 minutes.

As is always the case, the fitness of the full-timers eventually took it's toll but City were not short in the talent department, particularly Colin Potts. If he continues to impress this season, he could join them.

Team: Thornley; Rigby, Kilbane, Mayers, Holliday; Clark (Donnelly), S. Clitheroe, Haddow, Potts (Cartridge); L. Clitheroe, Whittaker.