Bradford City Reserves 3, Sheffield United Reserves 1: Good news has been thin on the ground at City lately.

So the sight of Mark Bower and Alan Combe in action for the reserves will be a timely pick-me-up for more than just the faithful few who ignored the more tempting alternative of staying in to watch European football on the telly.

Before last night Bower had played only 45 minutes since snapping ankle ligaments against Aberdeen in the centenary tournament. But with David Wetherall out beyond Christmas, the sooner he can come back the better.

Nottingham Forest on Saturday may be too much of a risk for the centre-half but he came through an early test as he slid in to win possession from Andy Parkinson, a more experienced face in a Blades side chiefly made up of under-19s.

But it was another player finding his way back from injury who opened the scoring with a cracker after seven minutes.

Paul Reid, operating as a right wing-back, capped a fine passing move with a blast into the top corner of Kristian Rogers' net. Michael Standing switched the play on halfway, Reid nudged it on to Tom Penford and set off on a run before picking up a return pass and firing in from the edge of the penalty area.

Stuart McCall's presence in the dug-out may get tongues wagging but the City legend was back on official duty. McCall, whose goal settled the First Division clash here a month ago, was wearing his coaching hat rather than playing one this time.

Penford went close for City on the stroke of half-time when he clipped the bar with a deflection.

But the goal arrived soon after the break as Luke Cornwall fired home after being put clear by Reid.

McHugh clobbered the post from 20 yards before Sheffield United pegged one back on the hour with a Billy Sharp penalty.

City finished on top with Rogers beating out a blast from Reid and Cornwall heading thin air with the goal gaping. Reid topped off a fine individual performance with his second six minutes from time, shooting low across the keeper.