STEVE Coppell admitted Bristol City had suffered self-inflicted wounds as he experienced defeat for the first time as Robins manager.

Swedish league leaders Helsingborgs proved too much for City in the second friendly of their Scandanavian tour.

Coppell had expected a stern test and so it proved as the hosts – five points clear at the top of the Allsvenskan League – ran out 4-0 winners in front of an ebullient crowd.

City had two goals disallowed and saw a penalty saved during the defeat in Örebäcksvallen.

Coppell said: "We were masters of our own demise. Their goals were products of our own deficiencies."

The former Reading boss was hardly likely to draw any firm conclusions from the game, which followed a 1-1 draw with IFK Gothenburg on Tuesday.

He continued: "We have one more game left against Vallen on Saturday and we will continue to mix it around (in terms of selection). We won't look to overload the players."

City almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute when left-back Jamie McAllister saw a free-kick ruled out.

But Helsingborgs, who started their current league season in March, took charge from the 20th minute with two goals in the space of three minutes by ex-Sweden international Christoffer Andersson and Norwegian midfielder Ardian Gashi.

City again employed a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation and could have pulled one back on the half-hour.

Marlon Jackson was tripped in the box in the 31st minute, but trialist John O'Flynn, from Barnet, had saw his penalty saved. O'Flynn expects to hear if he has done enough to earn a contract from Coppell when City return home at the weekend.

Three minutes later, Sweden international midfielder Mattias Lindstrom rubbed salt into the wound by rounding Dean Gerken to score the hosts' third goal.

City almost snatched a late consolation goal in the final minute when an Ivan Sproule shot was parried by the keeper and substitute David Clarkson bundled in the rebound only to be ruled offside.

But moments later, Congo midfielder Rene Makondele sealed victory for Helsingborgs with a breakaway goal.

City were again without Louis Carey (heel), while Gavin Williams was also absent with a knock and Joe Lennox was ill.

Bristol City: Gerken; Edwards (Orr 55), Cisse, Fontaine (Nyatanga 55), McAllister (Ball 66); Jackson (Sproule 55), Elliott, Skuse (Johnson 55); Akinde (Clarkson 55), O'Flynn (Adomah 55), Campbell-Ryce.