DAVID Hopkin singled out the efforts of 16-year-olds Reece Staunton and Eliot Goldthorp in City’s 4-1 Checkatrade Trophy loss to Oldham.

The Bantams head coach admitted he expected a tough night at Valley Parade with the team he picked.

But he felt the two youngest members of the side stood out on their full debuts.

Hopkin said: “I thought young Reece Staunton and Eliot Goldthorp did really well for 16-year-old kids.

“They gave a good account of themselves and the two of them were probably the best midfielder and best centre back.

“It’s not an indictment (on the rest). These kids have come in and done really well and shown a real appetite for the game.

“We always knew it was going to be tough because of the starting XI I was going to play.

“When you see Oldham bring their full first team with them to play the game tonight, it was always going to be a difficult challenge.”

Skipper Josh Wright returned after a month out with a hamstring injury – and Alex Jones made a late cameo for his first action since November.

Kai Bruenker scored his first goal for the club but the League Two side were well worth their win, on-loan Bournemouth striker Sam Surridge netting twice.

Hopkin added: “We were a wee bit sloppy. We were 2-0 down at half-time and came back out and started well.

“Kai scored a fantastic header but we switched off again because of naivety. Then before you know it we’re 4-1 down.

“But the positives are that we got Joe Riley some game time, Josh has played nearly 90 minutes and Alex Jones is back.”