Gareth Owen continued his comeback from injury with a goal as the reserves secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Bradford City at Valley Parade.

The defender, recently sidelined with an ankle problem, headed the opening goal which paved the way for the young City side to beat the Yorkshire side.

Academy starlets Richard Keogh and Martin Paterson were also on the scoresheet as the Potters completed the double over the bottom of the table Bantams.

The deadlock could have broken twice in the opening few minutes as striker Jermaine Palmer enjoyed a lively start to the game and went close with two speculative efforts.

Midfielder Tryggvi Gudmunsson then threaded a through ball to the unmarked Andy Wilkinson who flicked the ball over the advancing Nathan Thackeray in the Bradford nets but could only watch as the ball trickled inches wide.

The powerful Francino Francis saw his powerful header rebound off the crossbar before all the pressure from the visitors paid off in the 45^th minute when the Potters took the lead.

A City corner was not dealt with allowing Owen to stoop in and head the ball into the net.

Chris Sanna, a virtual spectator for most of the game, had to be alert in the opening moments of the second-half when Anthony Doherty tried his luck from distance but the stopper was more than up to the effort.

City doubled their lead shortly after, again from a corner, with Keogh this time allowed the time and space to coolly find the net.

Paterson completed the scoring in the 77^th minute when he added the third and final goal for the visitors.

Sanna twice thwarted Kevin Sanasy late-on but their was to be no way back for the home side.