Peter Jackson was thrown a late defensive headache for the Southend game when Steve Williams pulled out with a training injury.
With Lewis Hunt not available, City's back four included Luke O'Brien at right back and Lee Bullock centre half.
Gareth Evans was back on left midfield to replace O'Brien, so Scott Dobie was brought in up front alongside Michael Flynn.
City's bench included three youth-team players, highlighting how stretched Jackson's resources were.
CITY: McLaughlin, O'Brien, Bullock, Oliver, Threlfall, Adeyemi, Syers, Worthington, Evans, Flynn, Dobie. Subs: Speight, Osborne, Chilaka, Robinson, Rowe, Flett, Pidgeley.
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