Preston 1 Coventry 1 - 28/11/2006

Preston 1 Coventry 1 - 28/11/2006

Preston North End: Carlo Nash, Danny Pugh, Liam Chilvers, Sean St. Ledger (Kelvin Wilson 15), Graham Alexander, Paul McKenna, Simon Whaley, Tommy Miller (Lewis Neal 74), Chris Sedgwick, Patrick Agyemang (Daniele Dichio 81), David Nugent
Subs not used: Chris Neal, Brett Ormerod
Goals: Nugent 35

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy (Kevin Kyle 78), Robert Page, Clive Clarke, Darren Currie, Colin Cameron (Jay Tabb 68), Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie (Stern John 68)
Subs not used: Christopher Birchall, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Elliott Ward 75, Dele Adebola 25, Jay Tabb 90
Goals: Adebola 80

Attendance: 13104
Referee: R Lewis

Teamtalk
Preston moved top of the Championship for the first time since 1951 as they earned a 1-1 draw with Coventry to lead Cardiff by a point.

After a poor start Preston took the lead through a David Nugent header 11 minutes before the break.

But Dele Adebola, who scored the only goal in Coventry's 1-0 win at QPR at the weekend, produced a fine solo effort late on to earn City a point.

It ended North End's run of four games without conceding and after seven straight wins was a second Deepdale draw in the space of four days.

Coventry caused the home side problems from the outset, Clive Clarke almost capitalising on slack defending by Sean St Ledger with just a minute gone but firing straight at goalkeeper Carlo Nash.

Preston, with just one goal in their previous three matches, were failing to fire as an attacking force and when Paul McKenna forced Andy Marshall into a routine save from 25 yards with 20 minutes gone it was the hosts' first real effort on goal.

With 12 minutes of the half remaining Coventry failed to clear a Simon Whaley cross but Patrick Agyemang sliced wide from the edge of the area.

But just a minute later Pugh's looping cross from the left was headed home by Nugent to great relief at Deepdale.

Marshall then turned a powerful Whaley drive around the near post as North End almost doubled their lead.

Three minutes before the break a low Cameron shot was slightly deflected onto the post and wide and from the subsequent corner Adebola should have done better from close range.

The Sky Blues went close four minutes after the break with Darren Currie's corner causing panic in the Preston area before it was hooked clear.

Nugent wasted a decent opportunity to make it two in the 53rd minute, making a poor contact on Whaley's cross after good work from the winger.

Currie's probing had caused Preston concern all evening and he almost squeezed a shot inside the near post but Nash was well placed.

At the other end the home team continued to push forward and Agyemang blasted off the bar from 25 yards although Marshall may also have got a touch.

With 20 minutes remaining Adebola's knock-down fell for Stern John but the substitute failed to get a shot away from five yards out.

John headed over from a Marcus Hall cross a couple of minutes later as the visitors piled on the pressure.

And Coventry's positive play finally told shortly after as Adebola controlled a long pass from Clarke, skipped past Pugh and fired past Nash to level.

Chris Sedgwick volleyed just high and wide at the other end immediately after and with just over two minutes left Nugent lashed high and wide with a hopeful 30-yard strike.

With seconds remaining Adebola filled in at the back with a crucial tackle on Lewis Neal.

CCFC
Dele Adebola's second goal in as many matches sealed a point for Coventry as they drew 1-1 with Preston North End.

The big striker showed his composure to strike ten minutes before the final whistle to cancel out David Nugent's first-half opener for Paul Simpson's men.

Micky Adams named an unchanged side as the Sky Blues made the trip to Deepdale.

Coventry City's manager kept faith with the team which beat QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road on Saturday - the only change coming on the bench, with the fit-again Stern John replacing Rafa Gonzalez.

Preston make one change, with Tommy Miller making his first start for Paul Simpson's men since signing on loan from Sunderland two weeks ago. He replaced the injured Matt Hill.

Both teams played some good attacking football in the opening 15 minutes, with Adebola and Nugent looking to find the killer touch for their respective side. However, the home side were forced to make a change after 15 minutes when Sean St Ledger was replaced by Kelvin Wilson - the former still suffering the effects of an earlier clash with Leon McKenzie.

Adebola went into the book for an alleged foul on 25 minutes, before three minutes later, Cameron hit the ball hard and low from 20 yards but unfortunately into the arms of Carlo Nash.

The action soon switched to the other end and Richard Duffy put the ball perilously close to his own goal from a Preston cross, before the Sky Blues cleared the danger from the corner.

Agyemang hit a chance wide on 33 minutes, but Preston made the breakthough just seconds later when Nugent headed in a Danny Pugh cross. It was tough on Coventry, who had defended resolutely throughout the half and for Andy Marshall, who got a hand to the shot but couldn't quite keep it out of his goal.

And the Sky Blues custodian had to be alert against with 37 on the clock - Marshall making a fine save at the near post from Simon Whaley's in-swinging shot.

It could so easily have been 1-1 at the half-time whistle as Cameron's shot was deflected inches wide of the target, before Adebola painfully missed in the middle from the resulting corner.

Preston started the second half as the brighter of the two sides and with 54 on the clock, Nugent could have had another when he pulled his shot inches wide of the upright.

Currie showed good endeavour before shooting at the keeper before at the other end, Marshall made an excellent save from a fierce curling shot from Agyemang.

Adams made a double substitution on 68 minutes, with John replacing McKenzie and Jay Tabb replacing Cameron.

John was at the centre of controversy just minutes later when the Trinidadian appeared to have his legs taken when he was lining up to take a shot, but the referee waved play on and Coventry were back to the drawing board.

John headed over from a Hall cross and the Sky Blues had the lion's share of possession, before Elliott Ward became the second Coventry City player to go into the book on 75 minutes for a handball.

The Sky Blues made their third and final substitution on 78 minutes when Kevin Kyle replaced Duffy and in the 80th minute, the hard work paid off.

It was no surprise that it was Adebola who was again the provider - the striker holding off his man and turning inside before finishing into the bottom corner to provide City with their just rewards.

4thegame
Preston could only manage a draw but it took them to the top of the second tier of English football for the first time in 55 years.

It was probably a fair result as Coventry looked dangerous up front and deserved their late goal.

Coventry had the first chance in the first minute when Clive Clarke had a 20-yard shot which went straight at Preston keeper Carlo Nash.

In the 15th minute Preston lost Sean St. Ledger to injury and Kelvin Wilson had to come on.

Paul McKenna saw a 30-yard shot from inside the left channel easily caught by Coventry keeper Andy Marshall.

Dele Adebola was booked for a foul and Colin Cameron hit a 20-yard shot which Nash had to dive low to his right to save.

Patrick Agyemang had a 20-yard shot which went wide of the left-hand post.

Preston opened the scoring in the 35th minute when a great cross from the left wing by Danny Pugh was met by David Nugent who headed into the top right-hand corner from ten yards.

Simon Whaley had a 15-yard shot tipped around the post by Marshall and Cameron had a shot deflected for a corner.

Darren Currie forced a save from Nash when he had a ten-yard effort from the left and Agyemang had a powerful shot which hit the crossbar after 63 minutes.

Coventry boss Micky Adams made a double substitution withdrawing Leon McKenzie and Cameron for Stern John and Jay Tabb, while Preston manager Paul Simpson brought on Lewis Neal for the on loan Tommy Miller.

Elliott Ward was booked for handball but Adebola equalised with ten minutes to go when a Clarke pass found him on the right and he cut inside to hit a ten-yard shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Substitute Tabb was booked for kicking the ball away right at the end but a draw was a fair result.

Preston manager Paul Simpson said: "I was disappointed with the way that we conceded the goal. We lost possession cheaply and Dele Adebola wanted to cut inside and get it on his left foot and we let him and he scored.

"I thought we looked a bit nervy but we have got to be prepared to deal with that. And we only half did our jobs tonight.

"It is great to get to this position and it was a fantastic goal by David Nugent and it was a great cross by Danny Pugh.

"Sean St.Ledger got a whack on his head and had blurred vision in his left eye." Coventry City manager Micky Adams said: "I am delighted to get four points from our last two games and we showed a lot of spirit and we are making progress.

"We could have got more and I was delighted with the opening 30 minutes.

"We rallied in the second half and Dele has come up trumps again and it is impossible to leave him out if he performs like that."

QPR 0 Coventry 1 - 25/11/2006

QPR 0 Coventry 1 25/11/2006
Queens Park Rangers: Simon Royce, Damion Stewart, Zesh Rehman, Marcus Bignot, Michael Mancienne, Nick Ward, Stefan Bailey (Martin Rowlands 56), Lee Cook, Jimmy Smith, Dexter Blackstock (Ray Jones 44), Mark Nygaard (Kevin Gallen 56)
Subs not used: Mauro Milanese, Sean Thomas
Booked: Nick Ward 83

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Colin Cameron, Michael Doyle, Darren Currie (Kevin Kyle 84), Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Jay Tabb, Rafael, Christopher Birchall, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Marcus Hall 69, Richard Duffy 25, Kevin Kyle 90
Goals: Adebola 48

Attendance: 12840
Referee: C Penton

Teamtalk
Coventry recorded their fourth away win of the season at QPR despite having to travel to Loftus Road on the London Underground.

Following their 1-0 victory in the Championship, boss Micky Adams revealed his squad had no option but to take a ride on the tube after their coach failed to arrive at the team hotel.

Adams' squad did not arrive at Loftus Road until 40 minutes before kick-off - but Dele Adebola's 48th-minute strike was enough to clinch the three points.

"We were told that the bus was stuck in traffic, so we decided to get on the tube," Adams revealed.

"We bought 23 single tickets at Hanger Lane station, and none of the fans could believe their eyes when they saw us.

"We took a bit of stick from West Ham fans and Fulham fans, but our unsung hero was Jay Tabb - he knew we had to change at Hammersmith and then go to Shepherd's Bush.

"I feel a bit sorry for him as well, because I did not even put him in the team.

"We got to the ground at 2.20pm, went on to the pitch and won 1-0.

"Everyone talks about preparation, but this proves it is a load of nonsense."

Adebola's goal crowned a fine display from the centre-forward, who troubled Rangers' defence throughout with his pace and strength.

Coventry could have won by a greater margin had Leon McKenzie, Colin Cameron and Darren Currie - making his debut following his loan move from Ipswich - been more accurate in front of goal.

"Dele has been frustrated by the relative lack of first-team opportunities he has had this season," Adams admitted.

"But he led the line well today, and scored a good goal.

"His form at the beginning of last season was outstanding, and, if he rediscovers that, it will be very hard for me to leave him out."

Rangers boss John Gregory accused his team of relying too much on winger Lee Cook as they slipped to their first defeat in six matches.

Gregory's team had won their last three league games, but lacked verve in attack and cohesion in defence.

Gregory said: "We did not deserve to win today. After the run we have been on, people just expected us to turn up and roll Coventry over.

"So this was the first time for a while most of our player have been under pressure, but it will do us good, because it will get our feet back on the ground.

"Lee Cook was outstanding today, but a lot of the players seemed to be looking at him and saying 'get us out of jail, Cooky'."

Meanwhile, Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock is to have an X-ray on a suspected fractured cheekbone.

CCFC
Coventry deservedly beat QPR by a goal to nil thanks to a battling display with Dele Adebola getting the only goal of the game.

The Sky Blues went through a far-from-average warm-up for this one, having had to desert their coach, get the tube to Shepherd's Bush and walk to Loftus Road. The players only emerged for their pre-match run-through half an hour before kick-off but the game still got underway at 3pm.

Darren Currie was named in the starting eleven for his Coventry City debut, playing on the left hand side of midfield, while Colin Cameron replaced the injured Don Hutchison and surprisingly lined-up on the right.

Clive Clarke played in his third position since joining the Club on loan little over a month ago at centre midfield. Elliott Ward was back at centre half having recovered from a back strain, with Jay Tabb dropping to the bench at his expense.

Cameron got City's first shot on goal in the second minute but it was easily gathered by Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce. And the former Wolves man was presented with the best chance of the game in the 19th minute when Dele Adebola went on a mazy run and pulled a lovely ball back which Cameron scuffed across the face of goal when he should have at least hit the target.

The match was flowing end-to-end but it was the Sky Blues who were creating the best of the early opportunities, although they failed to take any of them to establish a lead.

City were working their socks off throughout the team and Adebola in particular was seeing a lot of the ball up front, while Cameron looked impressive in the engine room.

The home side started to impose themselves more on the tie as the first half came to an end and Andy Marshall had to be alert to make an excellent one-handed save to ensure the scores remained goalless while substitute Ray Jones shot just wide from 15 yards.

The Hoops had finished the first half the stronger side but City emerged completely fired up at the start of the second and after McKenzie had wasted a glorious one-on-one chance to give the Sky Blues the lead, the impressive Adebola put City ahead in fine style.

The powerful striker collected a square ball, span his marker and hammered a shot high into the net past the helpless Royce to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute with his 100th career goal. QPR went straight up the other end and nearly equalized as a Marc Nygaard header clipped the top of the crossbar.

But it was City who continued to apply all the pressure and Currie could have marked his debut with a goal when McKenzie floated in a beautiful cross but the loan man could not get over his header and placed it over the bar.

John Gregory made a double substitution with just over half an hour remaining introducing the experienced strike partnership of Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands.

As you'd expect from a side that had beaten the league leaders away from home last week, QPR were not going to take things lying down and threw everything at the Sky Blues to get back in the match.

With eleven minutes left on the clock City carved out a great move which nearly sealed the three points. Marcus Hall went on an overlap down the left and whipped in a superb cross which McKenzie connected with a diving header but unfortunately his effort flew just wide of the upright.

With six minutes remaining Adams made his first switch as Kyle replaced Currie who'd had a competent if unspectacular first appearance in a City shirt.

Marshall has been performing superbly in goal in recent weeks and he pulled out an excellent one-handed stop from Gallen in the 87th minute to preserve Coventry's slender advantage.

With five minutes of stoppage time signaled there was a nervy end to the tie but the Sky Blues continued to stand firm to pick up a superb victory after an extremely committed performance.

4thegame
Coventry City hardly had the ideal preparation for this match with Micky Adams having to buy 23 single tickets for the Underground to make sure his team got to Loftus Road, following traffic problems with the team bus.

But, as Adams later suggested: "so much for preparation''.

Dele Adebola's 48th-minute strike pushed Coventry up to ninth in the table and ended a run of three consecutive wins for QPR.

With only a point separating the sides in the table before kick-off this had the makings of a close contest but both sides were on a high, heading into the match on the back of victories.

Yet QPR appeared to be undone by the expectations of the home crowd after their victory last week at Cardiff City and it was Coventry that dominated for much of the first half.

In the 17th minute Adebola was the provider, setting-up Colin Cameron, who woefully scuffed his effort well wide of the target.

Coventry continued to keep up the pressure on the QPR goal, but towards the end of the half Rangers finally sparked into life.

Zesh Rehman went desperately close with a header in the 42nd minute and soon after that Lee Cook completely lost his marker, bursting into the penalty area to deliver a low, hard, drive that was superbly pushed away by keeper Andy Marshall.

But the second half followed the pattern of the first with Coventry dictating the play. Leon McKenzie squandered a great chance to put the visitors in front, blasting an effort wide with just the keeper to beat.

But just two minutes later Adebola grabbed the only goal of the contest, comfortably shaking off his marker, Rehman, before running into the QPR area and firing a powerful shot past Simon Royce.

Just after that strike QPR forward Marc Nygaard had a header that landed on top of the crossbar while both Cook and Jimmy Smith continued to keep the Coventry defence on their toes.

Even so, the Sky Blues will feel they were just about good enough value for the victory and they nearly grabbed a second late on with McKenzie's header, from all of three yards out, flashing narrowly wide of the post.

QPR manager John Gregory said: "I wouldn't say the best team won but we didn't deserve to win either. It was a tough game which we knew it would be, but I think the expectations of us today were very high.

"We were expected to turn up and roll this lot over. We beat Cardiff with no pressure. Today the pressure was on us to produce and we failed.

"The goal was very poor and I don't want to dwell on that. For the first half-hour I didn't recognise anyone in the team. I hope it's just a blip, but it gives me an insight into the team.'' Adams said: "We were late for our pre-match meal and then we were told the team bus had got stuck in traffic, so we had to get the Tube from Hanger Lane - I bought 23 singles.

"It will probably be on Soccer Saturday next week. But thanks to Jay Tabb who was the unsung hero as he knew how to get here. I almost felt sorry for putting him on the bench.

"I thought we were well worth the win. I'm pleased for Dele. It's common knowledge he's been frustrated by the lack of opportunities this season.

"We played a team that looks full of confidence, and we had to roll up our sleeves.''

Coventry 3 Sheffield Weds 1 - 18/11/2006

Coventry 3 Sheffield Weds 1 - 18/11/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Robert Page, Christopher Birchall (Wayne Andrews 74), Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Don Hutchison (Colin Cameron 14), Dele Adebola (Kevin Kyle 74), Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Rafael, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Don Hutchison 14, Leon McKenzie 79
Goals: Bougherra 25 (og), McKenzie 51, McKenzie 55

Sheffield Wednesday: Mark Crossley, John Hills, Madjid Bougherra, Frankie Simek (Graham Coughlan 56), Lee Bullen, Kenny Lunt, Yoann Folly, Wade Small, Chris Brunt, Marcus Tudgay (Steven MacLean 82), Deon Burton (Burton O'Brien 45)
Subs not used: Chris Adamson, Tommy Spur
Booked: John Hills 83, Steven MacLean 90
Sent off: Wade Small 16, Chris Brunt 37

Attendance: 19489
Referee: N Swarbrick

Teamtalk
Leon McKenzie scored his first goals for Coventry as nine-man Sheffield Wednesday paid for their indiscipline in a 3-1 Ricoh Arena defeat.

Marcus Tudgay was caught by a late tackle from Don Hutchison in the 14th minute, leaving the latter with a suspected broken leg.

However, Wade Small's reaction to the City player's challenge earned him a red card.

And Chris Brunt was dismissed in the 37th minute following a professional foul on Chris Birchall.

McKenzie finally began to repay the £1million fee Coventry paid Norwich back in August when he netted a brace in five minutes at the beginning of the second half.

The first arrived courtesy of a long range shot from Birchall which Mark Crossley failed to hold on to, leaving McKenzie with the simplest of tasks to open his Sky Blues account from close range.

And Birchall was again the provider in the 55th minute when he broke down the right flank and crossed for the big striker to convert from six yards.

In between the first half sendings-off there were two goals. Brunt lobbed the ball over Andy Marshall from the edge of the area after 22 minutes to put Wednesday ahead with his fifth goal of the season.

But the lead lasted just three minutes before Madjid Bougherra turned McKenzie's cross into his own net.

Jay Tabb crashed a thunderous shot from the edge of the box against the post before Colin Cameron, the 14th-minute replacement for Hutchison, saw an angled drive tipped around the post by Crossley.

Coventry manager Micky Adams was forced into two changes for the game with Birchall and Dele Adebola returning to the starting line up.

Birchall replaced countryman Stern John after he sustained an injury while on international duty with Trinidad & Tobago in midweek while Adebola started in place of Elliott Ward, who was nursing a back strain.

As a result Marcus Hall slotted in at centre-back and Clive Clarke returned to his normal position at left-back with Birchall on the right of midfield and Adebola leading the attack alongside McKenzie.

Owls boss Brian Laws named the same XI that gave him a winning start to his Hillsborough reign at Ipswich last week.

McKenzie's quickfire double put the game beyond Wednesday and the hosts created plenty of chances to add to their tally.

Crossley tipped Clive Clarke's angled drive around the post before Birchall tested the veteran stopper with a raking shot from the edge of the area which Crossley palmed over the crossbar.

Michael Doyle twice went close to extending Coventry's lead either side of the hour mark as Adams' side looked like making their extra men count by giving the scoreline a more emphatic look.

Adebola flashed a shot across goal when he cut inside from the right wing before Richard Duffy repeated the trick.

Substitute Graham Coughlan headed Lunt's free-kick straight at Marshall in Wednesday's only chance of the second half as Brian Laws' side lost their five-match unbeaten record.

The win was Coventry's first in four Championship matches.

CCFC
Leon McKenzie grabs his first goals since signing for the Sky Blues, scoring a second half brace against nine-man Sheffield Wednesday.

In an eventful first half, the visitors were reduced to ten men early on when Wade Small was red carded for a push on Michael Doyle. Wednesday then went ahead through Chris Brunt who scored straight from a corner before a Madjid Bougherra own goal made it one apiece.

Brunt then saw red before the interval for a professional foul and McKenzie scored twice in quick succession at the start of the second period to seal the win for City.

Micky Adams was forced into two changes with Chris Birchall and Dele Adebola returning to the starting line-up. Birchall replaced Stern John in the side after City's top scorer picked up an injury while on international duty in midweek while Adebola started in place of Elliott Ward who has a back strain.

As a result Marcus Hall slotted in at centre-back, Clive Carke returned to his normal position at left-back with Birchall on the right of midfield and Jay Tabb on the left.

After three straight defeats it's fair to say that this game was a vital one for the Sky Blues with two tricky away matches up next.

Their opponents came to Coventry in a fine run of form having won four of their last five fixtures and there was bad news for City in the 12th minute when Don Hutchison was stretchered off after he went in for a challenge with Marcus Tudgay. The experienced midfielder instantly signaled at the bench after going down awkwardly and was clearly aware that he could not continue.

Colin Cameron came on in a straight swap and just 60 seconds later Wednesday were down to ten men when Wade Small was shown a straight red card for pushing Michael Doyle.

But in the 21st minute it was the Owls who went 1-0 up as City's nemesis when they met Wednesday last season, Chris Brunt, scored straight from a corner. Andy Marshall was incensed that Chris Birchall had not cleared the ball at the near post as the Northern Irish international whipped in a wicked delivery which evaded everybody and went in at the far post.

But it was only three minutes until the Sky Blues were level thanks to an own goal from Bougherra who could do nothing as John Hills' attempted clearance from a McKenzie cross struck the defender and rebounded into the goal.

City were inches away from going 2-1 ahead on the half hour mark when Jay Tabb hit a cracking half volley from the corner of the penalty area which clipped the outside of the post.

Colin Cameron then forced a fine save from Mark Crossley with a crisp 25-yard effort, The 37-year-old shot stopper showed the agility of somebody half his age with a superb one-handed tip around the post.

An unbelievable first half took one final twist in the 36th minute when Brunt joined Boughherra for an early bath when he too was shown a red card for a professional foul, taking down Birchall as he raced through on goal.

Brian Laws made one switch at half time, taking off Dean Burton and introducing Burton O'Brien and from the off, the visitors were on the back foot as City looked to make the numerical advantage tell, which they did in the 51st minute when McKenzie scored his first goal for the Sky Blues. The striker was the first to react when Crossley parried a long range effort from Birchall and he calmly tucked the rebound away.

Number two was not far behind for McKenzie as he made it 3-1 in the 55th minute, this time finishing a precise square ball from Birchall to give City a welcome cushion. The Trinidad and Tobago international came close to grabbing a goal himself moments later, producing another excellent save from Crossley after good work down the left by Clarke.

If the Sky Blues needed a warning not to take their opponents too lightly just because they were two men short, it came with 20 minutes left on the clock when substitute Graham Coughlin forced Andy Marshall into a superb one handed save with a powerful header.

All credit to the visitors who, having conceded twice during a barrage of Coventry pressure early in the second period, came back at City and refused to give up.

Micky Adames made a double substitution in the 74th minute replacing Chris Birchall and Dele Adebola with Wayne Andrews and Kevin Kyle.

The Sky Blues continued to create chances but failed to take them. At half time City fans would have expected nothing but the three points going against nine men and the players went about their task professionally to pick up a vital victory.

4thegame
Coventry City ended their run of three defeats in a row with an incident-packed victory over nine-man Sheffield Wednesday.

Leon McKenzie's two second-half goals were the difference between the two sides as Brian Laws suffered his first defeat as manager of the Yorkshire team.

The game was effectively decided in an explosive first half, which saw two sending offs for the Owls - infuriating Laws.

It meant Wednesday were always playing on the back foot but Coventry - and McKenzie in particular - took full advantage.

It was a tight, evenly contested start from both sides with both teams having a half-chance within the first five minutes.

Jay Tabb's right-wing cross was headed wide by City's McKenzie before Marcus Tudgay beat Sky Blues keeper Andy Marshall to the ball but his header was cleared by Marcus Hall.

Wednesday looked to be getting the upper hand with a succession of corners but their flow was disrupted with a needless sending off.

A foul by Coventry's Michael Doyle resulted in Wade Small pushing the little Irishman, resulting in a red card.

But the setback seemed to inspire the Yorkshire outfit as they finally scored direct from their sixth corner in the 22nd minute.

Chris Brunt's in-swinger was missed by everyone and bamboozled Sky Blues keeper Marshall.

But Coventry were level within two minutes. A mazy run by McKenzie ended with a wicked cross which was put through his own net by Madjid Bougherra.

The goal gave the home side new belief with Tabb hitting the post, Colin Cameron seeing his shot brilliantly saved by Mark Crossley, and Doyle's header being cleared off the line.

Wednesday's task became harder when they were reduced to nine men in the 36th minute after last man Brunt brought down Chris Birchall after the Trinidad and Tobago international was played through by Dele Adebola.

McKenzie shot narrowly over in first-half injury time with Sheffield Wednesday holding on.

The second half started the way the first ended with the home side pouring forward and left-back Clive Clarke seeing his 25-yard effort well-saved by Crossley.

In the 51st minute, Coventry were ahead. Birchall's long-range effort was parried by Crossley and McKenzie was first to react as he scored his first goal in 11 games for the club.

Four minutes later Coventry doubled their lead with Birchall again the provider. His right-wing cross was missed by everyone apart from McKenzie who side-footed home into an empty net on the far side.

Coventry were now rampant and Birchall was denied a deserved goal - again brilliantly denied by Crossley - while Doyle saw a 25-yard pile-driver go just wide.

But Sheffield Wednesday - and their noisy fans - never gave up and captain Lee Bullen almost pulled a goal back in the 70th minute but Marshall saved his point-blank header from a Kenny Lunt corner.

Owls boss Brian Laws said: "Their player was very aggressive in holding Wade Small in the nether regions, which ended with Wade pushing him away. The referee must only have seen the reaction which he must have thought was violent.

"It is something I will look at as soon as possible and if there is a chance for Wade's red card to be rescinded then I will be appealing on Monday morning.

"For the second sending off Chris Birchall was running away from goal and going towards the linesman and I believe that he was in an offside position. I thought the linesman was flagging for offside. Again once I have looked at it on video we will try to get it rescinded." City boss Micky Adams said: "We got the job done but we could have made it a lot easier for ourselves. We did the right things at the beginning of the second half to get the right result.

"I don't want to comment on Sheffield Wednesday players but I think the referee applied the letter of the law for the sending offs."

Coventry 1 Derby County 2 - 11/11/2006

Coventry 1 Derby County 2 - 11/11/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb (Dele Adebola 86), Don Hutchison (Colin Cameron 87), Stern John, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Rafael, Christopher Birchall, Wayne Andrews
Booked: Richard Duffy 72
Goals: John 22

Derby County: Stephen Bywater, Dean Leacock, Michael Johnson (Darren Moore 56), Marc Edworthy, Paul Boertien, Seth Johnson, Matt Oakley, Giles Barnes, Morten Bisgaard (Ryan Smith 59), Jon Stead (Arturo Lupoli 73), Steven Howard
Subs not used: Lee Grant, Adam Bolder
Booked: Michael Johnson 26, Paul Boertien 33, Giles Barnes 55, Steven Howard 69
Goals: Stead 11, Howard 76

Attendance: 19701
Referee: L Probert

Teamtalk
Goals from Jon Stead and Steve Howard gave Derby a 2-1 win in the all-Midlands Championship clash with Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

On-loan Stead had opened the scoring with his first goal for the Rams but Stern John netted a Sky Blues equaliser to ensure a half-time deadlock.

And after withstanding severe second-half pressure Derby took all three points thanks to Howard's header.

But it was the hosts who made the game's early running as Tabb set free Leon McKenzie with the ball then worked to Stern John - although the City striker could only chip the ball well wide with the Derby net at his mercy.

Coventry were made to pay for their wastefulness too as Derby broke the deadlock in the 11th minute after Marc Edworthy lofted the ball forward to be flicked on by Howard.

After collecting possession, Stead - on loan from Sunderland - held off Richard Duffy, turned on the edge of the box and smashed a powerful shot past Andy Marshall.

In the 18th minute, McKenzie's appeals for a penalty were turned down after the City striker had gone down under Dean Leacock's challenge.

But parity was restored in the 22nd minute when John poked home Clive Clarke's left-wing cross from close range.

Rams goalkeeper Stephen Bywater needed two attempts to collect Micky Doyle's 25-yard effort and then punched away Don Hutchison's free-kick before Seth Johnson fired over at the other end.

Both sides ran out unchanged for the start of the second half although play was halted by referee Lee Probert in the 47th minute when the stadium's pitch sprinklers came on.

After a few moments play was restarted and Coventry went on the offensive although Elliott Ward's shot was blocked by Dean Leacock.

And three Derby defenders were needed to ensure McKenzie's dribble into the box came to naught.

Moments later McKenzie supplied John but this time the Trinidad & Tobago international sliced to his right and wide.

In the 56th minute, Michael Johnson was replaced by fellow Rams centre-half Darren Moore and two minutes later, Ryan Smith replaced Morten Bisgaard.

The switches proved of little immediate avail though as McKenzie threatened once more although even if his 60th-minute shot had been on target, John's offside position would have counted against the Sky Blues.

Derby manager Billy Davies used the last of his three substitutes when Arturo Lupoli, the on-loan Arsenal striker, replaced Stead in the 73rd minute.

And the Italian's introduction heralded a spell of Rams pressure as the visitors earned back to corners, the second of which was taken by Smith from the Derby left in the 76th minute.

And after Howard had lost his marker the lofty frontman produced a powerful glancing header which left Marshall no chance for the game's winning goal.

With two minutes to go, Bywater saved Doyle's drilled effort with an outstretched leg.

CCFC
The Sky Blues suffer their third consecutive defeat with Steve Howard grabbing a second half winner for the Rams.

In an entertaining opening 45 Stern John cancelled out Jon Stead's opener and while there were few opportunities after the break, it was the Rams who got the decisive goal.

Micky Adams made two changes as the midfield duo of Don Hutchison and Jay Tabb were drafted into the starting 11 in place of Chris Birchall and Stephen Hughes.

For Hutchison it was only his second start of the season while for Tabb it was his first start since the Plymouth game at the end of September.

Derby forced the first shot on target in the third minute when skipper Matt Oakley shot from 20 yards and while his effort deflected slightly, Andy Marshall got his body behind the ball to save with ease.

The Sky Blues soon found their feet and in the eighth minute should have been one up. Good work from Tabb played in Leon McKenzie who teed up Stern John for a one-on-one with Stephen Bywater. Rather than blast it, the Trinidad and Tobago international opted for a delicate chip which he executed poorly and the shot drifted harmlessly wide.

And City were made to pay for the missed opportunity when Jon Stead put the visitors ahead in the eleventh minute. The loan striker was fed the ball 15 yards from goal and while he appeared to be shackled by Robert Page, he span and blasted a shot high into the net for his first goal for the Rams.

The Sky Blues responded and McKenzie had big shouts for a penalty waved away when Dean Leacock appeared to scythe him down without getting any of the ball.

Thankfully the Sky Blues did not have to wait long for the equalizer with Jon making amends for his early miss in the 22nd minute. Clive Clarke - playing on the left of midfield - whipped a ball in which Don Hutchison flicked on straight to City's leading scorer, who took one touch and stabbed the ball through Bywater's legs to make it 1-1.

Coventry thoroughly deserved to be on at least level terms and were threatening to go ahead as Michael Doyle forced a save from Bywater with a well struck 30-yarder.

Hutchison made the Rams keeper earn his money again with a beautiful free kick from similar distance but Derby were keeping City on their toes with Giles Barnes looking a particular threat.

At the start of the second half it was very much the Sky Blues on the front foot with Micky Adams sending his players out with the clear intention of getting back to winning ways. While the first 45 minutes had been even, Derby looked a side that City were well capable of beating and having suffered back-to-back defeats, getting the three points was vital.

Derby had to be alert at the back to keep the lively McKenzie out and when the former Norwich striker teed up Stern John on the edge of the box, he sent a shot just wide of the upright.

The pressure soon subsided and for a good 15 minutes neither side looked particularly threatening with much of the game taking place in the midfield third. But Derby have been thriving off good second half performances in recent weeks and with 15 minutes left they regained the lead through Steve Howard who was left unmarked at a corner and powered a header past Marshall.

That left the Sky Blues with the challenge of salvaging something from the match and with six minutes remaining Robert Page came close to grabbing an equalizer with a neat shot from the edge of the box which was only a lick of paint away from pulling City level a second time.

Micky Adams made his first switch in the 86th minute with Dele Adebola replacing Jay Tabb who had looked impressive in patches but struggled to get into the game in the second half. That was soon followed by Colin Cameron replacing Hutchison as City piled forward.

Michael Doyle forced Bywater to save with his legs as his shot from the edge of the area took a nick off a Rams defender but there was no late drama as City slumped to three defeats on the bounce.

4thegame
A super header from Derby striker Steve Howard handed the visitors all three points to keep the Rams' fine run going.

Howard powered home his seventh of the season 14 minutes from time after Stern John had earlier cancelled out Jon Stead's opener.

Sky Blues manager Micky Adams axed Stephen Hughes from the first 16 for the first time this season after taking the captain's armband off him in midweek.

New skipper Robert Page and his team-mates should have been celebrating an early goal for the home team in the eighth minute.

Jay Tabb arrowed a pass to Leon McKenzie and he nudged a pass to John but, as Stephen Bywater came out of his goal, Coventry's top scorer steered his shot from the edge of the box wide of a post.

Derby made Coventry pay heavily for the miss by taking the lead three minutes later.

Howard's flick-on fell to Stead and he turned Richard Duffy before firing a wonderful shot from 20 yards into the roof of the net for his first goal since joining the club on loan from Sunderland.

The home fans appealed for a penalty when Duffy's raking pass released McKenzie and he was fouled by Dean Leacock inside the area but referee Lee Probert dismissed the appeals for a spot-kick.

But Coventry supporters were cheering when their side drew level in the 22nd minute through John, who failed to score in his loan spell at Pride Park last season.

Clive Clarke's centre from the left was headed on by Elliott Ward and John reacted quickly to stab the ball in from seven yards.

Derby midfielder Seth Johnson was the first player to be booked for his foul on McKenzie in an open, entertaining game.

The impressive Giles Barnes went on a great run down the left and side-stepped Duffy to set up Stead but his close-range shot was blocked by Page.

After the break, Derby took greater control although there were still chances at both ends.

John had a great chance to double his tally after a good interchange between McKenzie and Hutchison but the striker blasted wide.

Then it was Stead who almost cracked in his second but his shot was turned away by Marshall in the Coventry goal.

Billy Davies made three substitutions in quick succession and the change worked for the visitors.

One of his subs, Ryan Smith, whipped in the corner which led to the winning goal. The cross was inch-perfect and Howard made the most of it.

He rose above everyone and guided the ball powerfully into the top corner giving Marshall no chance.

Derby manager Billy Davies said: "I am pleased for the supporters because we have been beaten 6-1 and 6-2 away at Coventry in the last two seasons so it made their journey home a better one.

"I know we are now in the top six but nothing is won in November. I think the time is right to bring in new faces to raise the bar and hopefully we will have one or two in before next week." Coventry manager Micky Adams said: "We have been denied a stone wall penalty when Leon McKenzie was fouled in the first half. The referee has made a bad decision and said he didn't see it so relied on his linesman.

"Every time we have had Mr Probert, we have had problems."

Stoke 1 Coventry 0 - 06/11/2006

Stoke City: Steve Simonsen, Michael Duberry, Danny Higginbotham, Carl Hoefkens, Andy Griffin, Luke Chadwick (David Brammer 85), Darel Russell, Salif Diao, Lee Hendrie, Ricardo Fuller, Mamady Sidibe (Vincent Pericard 90)
Subs not used: Sambegou Bangoura, Peter Sweeney, Andy Wilkinson
Sent off: Ricardo Fuller 63
Goals: Griffin 60

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall (Don Hutchison 81), Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Christopher Birchall (Jay Tabb 61), Michael Doyle (Dele Adebola 70), Stephen Hughes, Stern John, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Colin Cameron, Wayne Andrews
Booked: Marcus Hall 79, Elliott Ward 85, Robert Page 77, Stern John 42, Leon McKenzie 52

Attendance: 19055
Referee: C Boyeson

Teamtalk
Andy Griffin hit a stunning goal as Stoke claimed a 1-0 win over Coventry despite having Ricardo Fuller sent off at a foggy Britannia Stadium.

All of the decisive action took place around the hour, with Griffin cutting in from the left to drive in a magnificent strike from 25 yards which flew into the top corner.

But moments after Carl Hoefkens had struck the woodwork for the hosts Fuller, who had missed a host of chances, elbowed Michael Doyle and was sent off.

But the hosts comfortably held on for a deserved victory, making it four defeats in six matches for Micky Adams' visitors.

Even by Championship standards, it was an explosive start with plenty of fierce tackling but little else.

A low Mamady Sidibe effort was deflected wide by Stoke old boy Clive Clarke after four minutes but that aside there was little early goalmouth action.

The hosts gradually got themselves on top and after he had skipped past Elliott Ward wide on the Stoke left, Fuller's strike was knocked wide by Robert Page.

As the gloom continued to envelop the pitch, a mistake by Griffin at the other end sent Stern John through on goal and past Steve Simonsen but the Sky Blues striker blasted wide of goal.

Fuller exchanged passes with Luke Chadwick but his scooped effort was blocked by a defender and straight into the arms of goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

Then a move involving Lee Hendrie and Sidibe saw the ball passed Fuller's way but his shot on goal was way off target from 20 yards.

Fuller was guilty of another poor miss as Hoefkens charged into the area and crossed to pick out the striker unmarked at the far post, only for the Jamaican to again slice well over.

Marcus Hall thwarted Fuller in the 37th minute and Sidibe also lashed wide as the half ended goalless.

The home team continued to dominate after the interval with Marshall punching a high Salif Diao shot only as far as Chadwick, who saw his header cleared off the line by Elliott Ward.

The visitors finally produced an effort on goal, with Doyle driving wide.

But as the Potters piled on the pressure, Griffin curled home from 30 yards to score a second goal of his loan spell from Portsmouth.

The game exploded shortly after with Hoefkens seeing a shot come back off the bar and Fuller sent off.

The Jamaican had given away a free-kick for a foul on Jay Tabb and as he was tracking back he caught Sky Blues midfielder Doyle on the chin, earning him a straight red card and causing a melee.

Stoke appeals for a handball against Ward on halfway as Sidibe tried to break away were waved away by referee Carl Boyeson with 17 minutes remaining.

Even though they were a man down, Stoke's lead never looked in trouble until a late flurry from the visitors.

Leon McKenzie dragged wide in added time at the end but substitute Vincent Pericard was only prevented from scoring a second for the hosts by a fine save from Marshall.

McKenzie then got the ball in the net, flicking on Page's header, but the striker was ruled offside.

CCFC
It's a night of disappointment for the Sky Blues at the Britannia Stadium as City are undone by a wonder-strike from Andy Griffin on the hour mark.

The Stoke defender looked to be no danger as he picked up the ball 30 yards from goal but his unstoppable shot found the top corner and left Andy Marshall with no chance, before the hosts were reduced to 10 men as Ricardo Fuller was shown red for an elbow.

Micky Adams made two changes from the side that slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Birmingham at the Ricoh last Tuesday for this evening's clash.

In came midfielder and former Port Vale man Chris Birchall and the on-loan Clive Clarke with Colin Cameron and Kevin Kyle missing from the first 11.

Those changes saw the Sky Blues adopt an attacking three-four-three formation with Birchall - who will no doubt be in for a hot reception - deployed just behind the front two of Leon McKenzie and Stern John.

It was the Sky Blues who made the best of the opening exchanges with Birchall and McKenzie forcing corners in the first 60 seconds to send out a signal of intent to the home side.

Andy Marshall was called into his first piece of action with three minutes on the clock as he was able to pluck a Lee Hendrie corner out of the air unopposed.

As the fog continued to thicken over the Britannia City were showing no signs of fear, keeping the potentially dangerous midfield of Hendrie and Darel Russell quiet.

On 17 Robert Page was forced into a last-ditch tackle with Ricardo Fuller looking destined to give the Potters the lead.

The former Preston and Southampton forward surged down the right and into the box before shaping to shoot only for Pagey to make a perfect challenge.

Just two minutes later Stern John fired wide with the goal at his mercy as the game was staring to open up into a lively clash.

With the half-hour fast approaching Fuller was again causing problems, finding space in the box to meet a Carl Hoefkens centre before slipping and then slicing the ball high over the bar

With 35 gone former Stoke man Hall did well to acrobatically block another Fuller effort, the powerful striker doing well to find space before unleashing a well hit shot.

Mamady Sidibe was next to threaten for Tony Pulis' side, cutting in from the right he had options in the box but instead opted to go for glory smashing the ball high and wide.

With seven minutes of the second half gone Elliott Ward did well to help his 'keeper out, heading clear from almost underneath his own bar from a looping Luke Chadwick header.

Michael Doyle - who scored his first goal for 18 months against Colchester recently - tried his luck from all of 25 yards with 55 gone but his low shot was watched wide by Stoke 'keeper Steve Simonsen.

Just as Micky Adams was preparing to throw on Jay Tabb Andy Griffin found the top corner with a rising, rasping goal-of-the-season contender from what must have been 30 yards out leaving Marshall absolutely no chance.

With the home fans celebrating the gaffer did make the change with Birchall coming off for former Brentford man Tabb on the hour mark.

It was almost made even worse for the Sky Blues as Hoefkens rattled the bar before Stoke striker Fuller was red carded for what referee Boyeson seemed to suggest was a stray elbow on Hughes.

Having been on the pitch for just seven minutes Tabb was certainly making an impact and was unlucky not

to find an equalizer for the Sky Blues, his half-volley flying straight at Simonsen from a tight angle.

With the home side reduced to 10 men and with City searching for an equalizer Micky made his second switch of the night with Dele Adebola taking the place of Doyle with 20 minutes remaining.

The experienced Don Huthison entered the action in place of Hall for City's last switch of the night to give Micky Adams' men added impetus in the centre of the park.

Marshall made a fantastic save from Pericard in the dying moments as he broke free before McKenzie had appeared to hand City a share of the spoils.

The former Norwich man met a Page header and nodded into the back-of-the-net only to be denied by the linesman's flag to leave City empty-handed.

4thegame
A second-half thunderbolt from on-loan Andy Griffin ended Coventry City's unbeaten run in front of the nation and gave the Potters their third win in a row on home turf.

A strike fit for the cameras which saw it, finished off the Sky Blues' unbeaten record of two wins and two draws in four live television appearances.

A thick blanket of fog descended onto the Britannia Stadium playing surface after only 15 minutes and triggered the home side into action.

Neither side had taken aim until Ricardo Fuller mugged Elliott Ward on the right flank prompting Robert Page in to action to divert the industrious striker's goal-bound drive.

The travelling contingent's nerves were spared after the early scare because, as the conditions deteriorated, so did City's shooting.

Fuller seemed to be suffering the most from the lack of a visible target to aim at, at least that should be his defence, after spurning a hatful of golden opportunities.

The Jamaica international somehow navigated a route through in the 24th minute but then ballooned the resulting shot before making a hash of an absolute sitter.

Carl Hoefkens' low centre somehow made its way through a packed box leaving Andy Marshall and his gaping goal at Fuller's mercy - but the City man first slipped and then lifted his shot into the stand.

As the conditions improved after the break so did the standard of football and, on the hour-mark, came a contender for goal-of-the-season from the most unlikely boot.

Potters full-back Griffin latched onto Lee Hendrie's throw-in before arrowing the cleanest of strikes beyond Marshall's despairing palm into the top right-hand corner of the net.

But, just as Stoke began to turn the screw, their lead was plunged into jeopardy thanks to Fuller's left arm. The striker had just collected Hoefkens' shot, which had ricocheted back off the bar, when he swung a petulant elbow at Page's temple prompting referee Carl Boyeson's third red-card this term.

Stoke saw off a 17-minute onslaught from the previously quiet visitors and could have doubled their tally when Vincent Pericard was put clean through.

But the substitute, having galloped from the halfway line, mustered a tame effort which was palmed round the post by the Coventry shot-stopper.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "When Andy (Griffin) picked up the ball I was telling him to pass it but then he cut inside and the rest is history.

"People know what I think of Andy Griffin. He's a fantastic kid on and off the pitch and he's also very good with the young players.

"We're all delighted with the result. We played good football at times and then showed great resilience and spirit after we were reduced to ten men.

"I've not seen the sending off and I've not spoke to Ricardo about it. He's very upset and we'll sort it out when it all calms down." Coventry manager Micky Adams said: "We've been beaten by a wonder goal but our performance was just not good enough.

"We are OK physically but we're struggling when we have the ball. Our distribution was very poor and maybe we are no quite right mentally. There's a lot of work to do.

"If Stern John had put his early chance away it could have been different and I thought we should have had a penalty for handball in the second half.

"The referee also fell for every trick in the book in terms of time-wasting and other things but I have to accept that the bottom line is we didn't play well."