City reserves 0

Tranmere reserves 0

First John Swift, then Craig Bentham... could Jake Wright be the next City rookie to make the grade?

The young centre half did his chances of progressing no harm at all with a commanding performance for the reserves.

Wright, who has been training with the first team, barely put a foot wrong against Tranmere's second string. And not content with defensive duties, he also pushed up once or twice and delivered a dangerous cross along the six-yard box that went unfinished.

His only error, when he appeared to bundle over Adam Dickinson in the box, went surprisingly unpunished by referee David Richardson.

But Wright deserved that luck for his all-round display which he capped off with a fine tackle to deny Dickinson in the closing minutes after a loose pass from skipper Tom Penford.

Danny Forrest was always lively in the first half and twice threatened from crosses by right back Gavin Peers, one of the two City trialists on show.

The other, tall Frenchman Amadou Sanakho, looked all right in a defensive midfield role although he could not complain about his yellow card after one foul too many.

Tranmere had the best chance before the break with Donovan Ricketts clinging on well to Gary Pinch's header. But City took over after the re-start with Ben Muirhead denied by Carl Tremarco's clearance off the line.

It has been a strange week for Kevin Sanasy. He was recalled by City after just an hour's action with Leigh RMI and then found himself up front for the reserves again when he replaced Forrest.

Sanasy could have had a goal within five minutes of coming on after Craig Armstrong's precise pass sent him clear on the left. But keeper Russell Howarth narrowed the angle and blocked with his legs.

More chances followed for Muirhead, Michael Symes, Sanasy and centre half Danny Ellis, who went with his wrong foot as he tried to turn in a flick-on from close range.

Tranmere hardly troubled Ricketts with their rare breaks, especially with Wright mopping up pretty much everything in front of him.

City reserves: Ricketts, Peers, Richardson, Sanakho, Ellis, Wright, Penford, Forrest (Sanasy 48), Symes, Armstrong, Muirhead. Subs (not used): Doherty, Colbeck, Denvers, McGuire.