City eased their way past League One triers Southend at the KC to progress to the third round of the Carling Cup.

Phil Brown made a cool 11 changes, giving Jozy Altidore the full 90 minutes and choosing highly-rated youngster Tom Cairney in midfield. By half time, each had scored – Cairney with an exquisite chip from outside the box and Altidore with a drilled free kick awarded after he was fouled.

Franck Moussa slid home a reply for the visitors right on half time, and for a little while Tony Warner seemed to be the only player keeping them at bay as they pressed for a second half leveller. Then sub Geovanni wrapped it up with a smart volley in the last 15 minutes.

The draw for the next round is on Saturday. Match report to follow.

City notched up their first points of the season, taking all three available against Bolton at the Circle. Bolton had the better of a drab first half, played between two teams who’d made poor starts and were determined not to lose.

The Tigers were much improved in a more open second half however, and when American Jozy ‘Big Unit’ Altidore was introduced on the hour, replacing the hard working but ineffective Folan, momentum swung in City’s favour. Altidore’s first touch allowed the tireless Kamel Ghilas, who impressed with his ‘like Craig Fagan but better’ display, to smash the ball beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen.

City were the dominant side afterwards, and though Bolton were awarded 400 free kicks from about 25 yards out, it was the Tigers who were more likely to find the net. Man of the match Ghilas and Altidore linked well and should have had more goals, Altidore flicked a shot inches wide and Ghilas rattled the bar with an exocet missile of a shot.

Nonetheless, City took the spoils and moved to 14th in the table, level 9th with seven teams also on 3 points.

Myhill 7.5, Dawson 7, Gardner 6.5, Turner 7, Zayatte 6.5, Hunt 7.5, Kilbane 6, Olofinjana 6.5, Geovanni 7.5, Folan 6, Ghilas 8, Altidore 7.5.