NEIL Redfearn felt City’s youngsters did themselves justice despite their exit from the FA Youth Cup.

The Bantams were knocked out at the second round after extra-time agony at Barnsley – where they went down 3-2.

Redfearn, who returned to Valley Parade a fortnight ago as lead professional development phase coach, was encouraged by the performance.

“I thought the lads played really well, by and large,” he told the club website.

“First half we were a little bit off it and defended too deep. We didn’t get up the pitch enough.

“But we were camped in their half at times second half. We put them under pressure and scored two great goals.

“It was a great effort from the boys. I can’t question their endeavour and we played some good stuff in amongst that as well.

“I don’t think they did themselves any harm at all.”

The young Bantams had twice fought back to level against their category two opponents.

Zac Hadi saved an early penalty from Emmaisa Nzondo, who had come off the bench in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy game at Valley Parade.

City’s defensive resistance was broken by Luke Alker four minutes before the break.

But Max Murray put the visitors back on terms when he scored at the second attempt after being played through by Dylan Wilkinson.

Kieran Graham restored Barnsley’s lead just two minutes later but City again fought back when skipper Gabriel Wadsworth’s dribbling run was end with a foul in the box.

Harry Ibbitson sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to force the contest into an extra period.

Nzondo put Barnsley ahead for the third time after 100 minutes, Franklin Denison going close to another equaliser as City went down fighting.

CITY: Hadi, Wilkinson, Boney (Rose-Campbell), Thompson, Brooks, Gledhill (Mohamed), Murray, Denison, Ibbitson, Wadsworth, Sedibeh (Hussain; Goodman).