City Reserves suffered a 4-2 defeat against Forest Green Rovers in their first Combination match of the season.

The second string's defence of their Football Combination crown began in the worst possible fashion, despite leading 1-0 at half-time.

Lee Trundle found the net but it soon fell apart from City, who have found Forest Green tough opposition at this level for many seasons now.

A single Steve Brooker offered scant reward in a second half that saw the home side beat City's young keeper Tom Bradley four times.

Two trialists took part in the match; ex-Leeds United and Southampton defender Darren Kenton and winger Nicholas Alexander. However, neither impressed enough to earn an extended stay.

Manager Gary Johnson told bcfc.co.uk: "The most important thing is that Andy (Webster) got a game under his belt ahead of the weekend."

City Reserves: Bradley; Dunn (Hennessey), Kenton (Wilkinson), Webster, Boon; Sproule (Stambolziev), Noble, Edwards, Alexander; Brooker, Trundle.