City's second string suffered their first defeat of the Pontins League campaign in disappointing fashion against Sheffield United at the Britannia Stadium.

Three first half strikes were enough to hand the Blades victory, although the Potters were unlucky to go down by such a margin after seeing two efforts disallowed.

Both teams fielded experienced sides, as assistant manager Jan De Koning opted to play a number of first team stars in hope of enhancing their fitness ahead of a demanding fixture schedule.

Darel Russell, Gerry Taggart, Bruce Dyer, John Halls and Ed De Goey all started for the home side, whilst the likes of Michael Tonge, Lilian Nalis and Paul Shaw featured for United.

The game started brightly and it was the visitors who drew first blood with just six minutes gone, as defender Simon Francis headed past a helpless De Goey from Derek Geary's teasing free-kick.

Paterson was in the thick of things as the Potters pressed for an instant reply - and saw a curling effort saved before having a goal chalked off for offside.

However, the visitors doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark as Chris Armstrong fired home from an acute angle after latching onto a pinpoint pass from Tonge.

And the deficit extended minutes later as Geary's snap-shot from 12-yards flew in off the post.

City continued to battle in hope of a spirited fight-back and Paterson could count himself unlucky not to have restored some pride on the stroke of half-time as referee Gibbs ruled out another effort, this time by blowing for the interval as the City striker stroked home.

Bruce Dyer skewed over on the hour after good work from the tricky Paterson, whilst Russell saw an effort blocked by United 'keeper Phil Barnes after Dyer's original effort was parried by the former Blackpool custodian.

At the other end De Goey had to be on his toes to thwart Shaw, whilst Paterson saw a shot saved late on for City as the home side were beaten for the first time this season.

City: De Goey, Halls, Quigley, Vass, Hughes, Taggart, Garrett, Russell (Rooney 82), Dyer, Paterson, Gudjonsson (Hazley 45) (Zsivoczky 68). Subs (Not Used): Duggan, Robinson.

Sheff Utd: Barnes, Kozluk, Wright, Nalis, Francis, Horwood, Geary (S Quinn), Tonge, Mulligan (Morrison), Shaw, Armstrong (Nix). Subs (Not Used): Binnion, Roma.