City's reserve's slipped to their fourth defeat of the campaign last night, after going down 2-1 away at Leicester City.
Jon Parkin's coolly taken penalty proved nothing more than a consolation as goals from Billy McKay and Andy King sent Mark O'Connor's side home empty handed.
The City coach handed Salif Diao his first start since returning to the club towards the end of last year, and he gained more match fitness ahead of the crucial clash with Charlton next week.
The Potters started the game brightly with Parkin causing problems in the Leicester penalty area, but youngster Dean McCormick fired over.
Steve Ryan was called in to action shortly after, and he saved well from first team regular Matty Fryatt.
Neither side really took hold of the game until the 22nd minute when the hosts fired themselves in to the lead.
The City defence failed to clear their lines, and a dangerous ball across the backline was slid in to an empty net by McKay.
Former Hull man Parkin could have leveled the game soon after, but he fired tamely at a defender when he was in a great position.
City's hard work paid dividends in the 31st minute as they were awarded a penalty, after Vincent Pericard was felled inside the 18-yard box.
Up stepped Parkin and he sent the keeper the wrong way, before the ball nestled in to the back of the net.
Just minutes after the half time interval, Foxes midfielder King let fly a 25-yard thunderbolt which flew past Ryan and in to the net, to put the hosts ahead.
Both side's had chances as the game went on, with most notably Lewis Buxton and Parkin going extremely close.
Despite some late pressure from the visitors, Leicester held on to their lead and secured maximum points.
CITY (4-4-2): Ryan; De Laet, Zakuani, Broomes, Buxton; Pericard, Pulis, Diao (Thorley, 58), D. Phillips; McCormick (J.Phillips, 69) Parkin. Subs: Harrison, Wedderburn, Brunt.
