Football: Unconvincing City slip up at Blackpool

Round-up

Manchester City's shaky start to the season continued last night as Frank Clark's side were beaten 1-0 by Blackpool in the first round first leg of the Coca-Cola Cup.

The former Crystal Palace striker Andy Preece hit the only goal with 17 minutes remaining at Bloomfield Road. But City, who were held 2-2 by Ports- mouth at Maine Road in their opening game of the season, will be hopeful of overturning the deficit in the second leg.

A hat-trick in four minutes either side of half-time from Mansfield striker Iyseden Christie sentenced Stockport to a 4-2 defeat at Field Mill. The First Division's new boys now face a tough task to fashion a repeat of last season's exploits in the competition, when they reached the semi-finals before being beaten by Middlesbrough.

Cup heroes York, who have beaten Everton and Manchester United in this competition in recent years, were at it again as they won 2-1 at First Division Port Vale. Vale had gone ahead through Lee Mills, but Gary Bull and Steve Bushell, in the last minute, ensured that the Second Division side stayed on course for the second round.

Cambridge, of the Third Division, worried another First Division side after the Canadian international Paul Peschisolido had given West Bromwich Albion a fifth-minute lead at the Abbey Stadium. Michael Kyd hit the equaliser for Cambridge.

The Bristol derby between Rovers and City finished goalless, while an all-action tie at Third Division Peterborough saw First Division Portsmouth pegged back at 2-2 after a late equaliser by Martin Carruthers.

The game had boiled over when Posh midfielder Scott Houghton and Pompey's David Waterman were sent off for fighting 10 minutes from time.