BORO PICK UP SKY BLUES SCALP.

NUNEATON 1 COVENTRY 0 KYLE Perry's goal ten minutes into the second half gave Boro a prime pre-season scalp against their bigcity neighbours - and Coventry boss Andy Thorn conceded his men deserved nothing better.

Thorn fielded an experimental side that offered several fringe players the chance to play themselves into his League One plans. But Brazilian Bruno Cazarine and German Ndriqim Halili made little impact on proceedings and the only real plusses for the hefty Sky Blues contingent in the 2,439 crowd was valuable match practice for on-loan duo Reece Brown and Callum Ball - both making their City debuts - Cody McDonald, back in action after injury, and Gary Deegan, available after his suspension for Twitter indiscretions.

"It was very disappointing, especially because we brought so many fans here," admitted Thorn.

"This was the chance for players to make me think twice but I told them afterwards that they will have to do a lot better than that if they want to play for my first team."

It was a player City rejected two years ago, midfielder Adam Walker, who caught the eye as the Blue Square Premier outfit dominated the first half. His cultured free-kick found the equally impressive Wes York for an acrobatic volley against Chris Dunn's bar and he twice went close himself - wastefully so when York's cross picked him out for an unchallenged header.

City created a couple of chances, Cazarine volleying just over while Shaun Jeffers' diving header was gathered by Ben McNamara when Ball headed down Chris Hussey's free-kick, and they hinted at better things to come at the start of the second period.

But Kevin Wilkin's men were soon back on the offensive, and they were duly rewarded when York crossed from the right and Perry bustled through to turn it past Dunn.

NUNEATON TOWN (4-5-1): McNamara; Cartwright, Dean, Gordon, O'Halloran; York, Armson, Sleath, Walker, James; Perry.

COVENTRY CITY (4-4-2): Dunn; Pegg, Brown (76 mins Henderson), Edjenguele, Hussey; Jeffers (H/T Roberts), Deegan, Garner, Halili; Ball (H/T McDonald), Cazarine (57 mins Wiseman).