City's unbeaten home record in the Pontins Holiday League finally came to an end at the hands of table-topping Barnsley.

Despite Toddi Gudjonsson's first-half opener, the Yorkshire side responded with a goal either side of the break to snatch victory over an experienced Potters eleven containing forty-year-old goalkeeping coach Ronnie Sinclair.

City started the brighter of the two teams, with Lewis Neal and Tryggvi Gudmundsson going close during the early stages.

Veteran 'keeper Sinclair, filling in for the absent Chris Sanna, was a virtual spectator but had to be alert on twenty-five minutes to stop Dale Tonge's fierce drive.

Gudmundsson then saw a close-range strike tipped onto the woodwork, before the deadlock was finally broken on the half-hour mark.

Icelandic International Gudjonsson drifted inside from the right and rifled in a low effort from edge of the box, which crept through visiting 'keeper Flinders to give the 31 year-old his first goal for the club.

The Tykes piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser - and four minutes before the break it duly arrived, as Sosthane Yeo capitalised on a miss-placed pass from City skipper Andy Wilkinson to drill home from twelve-yards.

Goalmouth action was a rarity in the second-half, as both sides lacked a cutting edge in attack. Gareth Owen had City's best effort, slicing over a gaping goal after Flinders had parried Lewis Neal's angled drive.

Neal then saw an ambitious long-range effort sail inches wide, before Barnsley grabbed what turned out to be the winning goal as Robbie Williams' curling free-kick left Sinclair with no chance.

The Potters pressed for an equaliser but found the Barnsley back-line in commanding form. However, in the dying minutes Zema Abbey and the influential Gudjonsson had chances to level, but both missed the target.

City: Sinclair, Wilkinson (c), Keogh, Mawer, Owen, Henry, Gudjonsson, Neal, Abbey, Palmer, Gudmundsson. Subs (not used): Thomas, Francis, Wilson, Garrett