City's reserves got off to a winning start as they beat Coventry City 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

Goals from Marc Grocott and captain John Eustace sealed a deserved win for the Potters, who handed starts to several first team stars.

Jon Parkin, fresh from his goalscoring heroics at the weekend, and John Eustace started while Marlon Broomes made his return following injury.

Mark O'Connor also handed Turkish trialist Erol Burut a place in the starting line up at left back.

The Potters started brightly and could have been ahead after only two minutes, Jimmy Phillips set off on a darting run down the left flank but his cross evaded Parkin who was in the 6-yard box.

Andy Wilkinson then tested the hands of Danny Ireland, but the Coventry keeper reacted well to parry it around the post.

Steve Ogrizivic's side created their first chance on nine minutes but Lee Hildreth's header deflected past the left hand post off Liam Davis.

City continued to press forward and should have taken the lead through Phillips on 18 minutes, however his shot was fired straight at Ireland after good work by Parkin.

Former Port Vale star Chris Burchill went close just after, firing just wide of Russell Hoult's goal.

Youngster Darren Brunt was forced off midway through the first half and Marc Grocott was introduced as his replacement, and it didn't take him long to announce his arrival.

The young striker latched on to Wilkinson's long throw-in and clinically smashed the ball in to the roof of the net from 10-yards.

Robbie Simpson went close for the visitors just before the break, capitalising on a mistake from Hoult, but the City keeper pounced to block his goalward effort.

Birchall again should have levelled the scoreline, but he fired well over when well placed.

Hoult was called in to action straight after the half time interval and but the former West Brom stopper reacted well to thwart Birchall.

City doubled their advantage in the 53^rd minute with Eustace tucking the ball in to an empty net, after Parkin beat a defender and crossed for the former Sky Blue.

'The Beast' again created problems in the Coventry rearguard, but his long range effort was well saved.

The 25-year old again tried his luck from range in the 65^th minute, but his lob dipped just over the bar.

Coventry skipper Ben Turner went close in the 83^rd minute, but his header dropped over the bar following good work by Kieran Fitzharris.

Parkin should have made it three in the final minute but Ireland fantastically kept his close range strike out after Grocott picked him out with a clever ball.