Coventry 1 Southend 1- 30/12/2006

Coventry 1 Southend 1 - 30/12/2006
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Andrew Whing, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Christopher Birchall (Dele Adebola 71), Michael Doyle, Darren Currie, Stephen Hughes (Isaac Osbourne 74), Kevin Kyle, Leon McKenzie (Jay Tabb 77)
Subs not used: Colin Cameron, Adam Virgo
Booked: Kevin Kyle 64, Dele Adebola 90
Goals: Ward 12

Southend United: Darryl Flahavan, Peter Clarke, Lewis Hunt, Adam Barrett, Steven Hammell, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Alan McCormack (Simon Francis 81), Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Lee Bradbury, Matt Harrold (Freddy Eastwood 68)
Subs not used: Gary Hooper, Caldentey Arnau Riera, Joe Welch
Goals: Gower 54

Attendance: 16623
Referee: D Whitestone

Teamtalk
Mark Gower's equaliser earned struggling Southend a richly-deserved 1-1 Championship draw at out-of-form Coventry on Saturday.
The visitors had failed to score in all but one of their previous eight matches and they looked to be staring defeat in the face after Elliott Ward gave Coventry an early lead.

The centre-back's second goal of the season from a 12th-minute corner filled the hosts with renewed confidence after three successive defeats, although Alan McCormack should have levelled in the final minute before the break.

But Gower cancelled out Ward's strike with a composed finish in the 54th minute - Southend's first goal in five games.

Southend looked the most likely to snatch victory in the moments after the equaliser, and Adam Barrett was only denied by the crossbar.

But the visitors had to survive a late onslaught to deny victory to a Coventry side who have not won in four matches.

Sky Blues manager Micky Adams made six changes but it was Southend, who have not won away in the league all season, who began strongly.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce fed inside for Lee Bradbury to turn and shoot wide with less than two minutes gone.

The visitors caused Coventry a couple more anxious moments but after a brief spell of pressure, the Sky Blues took the lead 11 minutes into the match.

Darren Currie's corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Robert Page and Ward hit the back of the net with a low finish back across goal from 10 yards.

Winger Campbell-Ryce was a constant threat and his lofted cross found Bradbury at the far post but the experienced forward's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Andy Marshall and Andrew Whing although Southend created little with their superior possession.

With a minute of the half left McCormack broke through and shot straight at Marshall, who took the pace off the ball and was alert to backtrack and push off the line.

After the restart, the greasy conditions began to dictate more and a couple of minutes in Marshall made a scrambling stop from Gower's shot, which had taken a wicked deflection.

Coventry's Stephen Hughes had a low effort blocked after he was slipped through by Leon McKenzie.

But eight minutes into the second period Gower grabbed a rare goal for Southend, surging into the area on the left and tucking the ball inside the near post.

Just past the hour, Shrimpers skipper Kevin Maher's low stab from 20 yards flew just past the post and Hughes flicked away Campbell-Ryce's dipping cross.

From the resulting corner, Barrett's header thumped back off the bar.

By that time, water was sitting on the surface of the pitch and the game was turning into a scrappy affair.

With five minutes on the clock Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan pushed a Currie half-volley over the bar.

Coventry bombarded Southend's box in the final minutes but the visitors stood firm and held on for a draw and the final whistle was greeted with boos.

CCFC
The Sky Blues are held to a draw by Southend with Mark Gower cancelling out Elliott Ward's opener.

Micky Adams made no less than six changes for the match at a rain-sodden Ricoh Arena, with three new starters coming in to shore up City's leaky rearguard.

Andrew Whing was back in the team after being recalled from his loan at Brighton, replacing the injured Richard Duffy at right-back. Marcus Hall replaced Clive Clarke at left-back with skipper Robert Page the final alteration to the defence, coming in for Mikkel Bischoff.

Kevin Kyle was favoured up front instead of Dele Adebola and played alongside Leon McKenzie, while Chris Birchall came into the midfield for Colin Cameron.

Southend were without their top scorer Freddy Eastwood, although he was named as one of their substitutes despite suffering from an infection. The Shrimpers got off to a lively start despite the absence of their star man, keeping hold of the ball well and having a couple of early shots on goal without testing Andy Marshall.

But the Sky Blues took the lead in the 12th minute through Elliott Ward with their first shot on target. The centre-back hit a crisp shot back across goal from a Currie corner, which nestled in the far corner giving Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan no chance.

There were worrying looks on the City bench halfway through the first half when Robert Page took a knock but the tough centre-half ran it off without the need for treatment.

Southend had a good chance to equalise in the 28th minute when Lee Bradbury was picked out with a deep cross six yards from goal but Marshall blocked his close range shot brilliantly.

But it was City who were looking the more dominant side as the half progressed and Michael Doyle was guilty of indecision when the Sky Blues caught Southend short at the back but the Irishman failed to pick his pass before being tackled.

With the rain lashing down ever harder, conditions were getting tricky, and Bradbury got another sight of goal just before the break which he fired straight at Marshall, but the shot slipped through his hands and legs and the shot stopper only just recovered to flick the ball off the line and save any embarrassment.

Southend may have felt slightly aggrieved as their players contested the decision not to give a goal and the visitors came out fired up at the start of the second period with Marshall having to scramble rapidly to his left to save a deflected shot.

City fashioned an excellent opportunity to make it 2-0 in the 53rd minute when Stephen Hughes was played clean through but could only shoot straight at Flahavan and they were made to regret that missed chance when Southend made it all square just a minute later through Mark Gower, who finished well after a rapid break down the left hand side by Steve Hammell.

With 68 minutes played Southend introduced Freddy Eastwood for Harrold, giving a clear indication that Steve Tilson was looking for all three points rather than just settling for a share of the spoils.

A few minutes later and City made their first switch with Dele Adebola replacing Birchall who had worked hard down the right flank without much joy. That was followed by the substitution of Hughes for Isaac Osbourne who was making his first appearance since the Norwich game in September, with Jay Tabb soon replacing McKenzie.

With five minutes remaining Flahavan pulled off a great save from Currie's 18-yard shot which appeared to take a slight deflection on the way through to the Southend keeper. The loan winger then forced him into another block after he weaved his way in from the left.

Coventry were throwing everything at the Shrimpers come stoppage time but could not find a breakthrough and had to be content for a point.

4thegame
Coventry City's second lowest home league crowd of the season watched their team fail to beat basement boys Southend United.

Micky Adams made six changes to Coventry's line-up following their dismal 2-1 Boxing Day defeat to Ipswich.

Andy Whing was recalled from his loan spell at Brighton to feature at right-back and Kevin Kyle partnered Leon McKenzie up front, with Stern John not even featuring on the bench as 16,623 fans gathered at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues had a let-off in the second minute when Jamal Campbell-Ryce's right-wing cross dropped to Lee Bradbury. The former Manchester City striker turned Robert Page but his deflected shot trickled past a post.

Despite Southend's bright start with their neat passing, it was the home side who showed a cutting edge by taking the lead in the 12th minute.

Darren Currie's corner from the right evaded everyone until it reached Elliott Ward at the far post. The centre-half stroked a fine shot from eight yards into the corner of the net beyond Darryl Flahavan.

In heavy rain, Steve Tilson's men might have equalised in the 28th minute. Campbell-Ryce again deceived left-back Marcus Hall to whip in a cross to Bradbury at the back post, but Whing made a vital block to prevent Bradbury's shot from hitting the back of the net.

The old adage that when teams are struggling they have no luck was again proved in the 44th minute. Southend midfielder Alan McCormack unleashed a fierce angled shot from 12 yards which went through Andy Marshall's legs.

The Coventry keeper made a desperate bid to stop the ball crossing the line and referee Dean Whitestone agreed he had been successful despite the visiting team's howls of protests.

Southend started the second half brightly. Centre-half Adam Barrett surged forward and after exchanging passes with two team-mates he found himself inside the box.

Instead of shooting after turning Page, he delayed his shot which gave the Coventry skipper enough time to recover and block his eventual shot.

Mark Gower forced Marshall to scramble to his left to parry his angled effort and then Stephen Hughes forced Flahavan to make a smart save following excellent work by Michael Doyle, Kyle and McKenzie.

It was no surprise when the visitors drew level in the 53rd minute. Steve Hammell was the creator, laying a pass into the path of Gower, who turned and fired a fierce shot into the net in front of Southend's delirious fans.

The visitors should have taken the lead 16 minutes later when Barrett headed captain Kevin Maher's corner against the bar.

Coventry responded with substitute Jay Tabb sending over a cross and Currie's shot from the edge of the box was tipped over by Flahavan as the teams shared the spoils.

Coventry boss Adams said: "I think it is frustrating for everybody concerned. At half-time and full-time the fans voiced their displeasure and that's the way to do it, because during the game they supported their football team like they should do.

"Stern John has gone eight games without a goal, Dele Adebola and Leon McKenzie six or seven games without a goal and Kevin Kyle longer than that.

"I'm trying to find a striking balance. I have not lost faith in them, but they have probably lost a bit of confidence and belief in themselves, but that can be restored very quickly.

"I was pleased with Kyle and McKenzie's first-half performance more than in the second half. With strikers you have to keep persevering or when January comes along you buy another one, but I doubt that will happen." Southend manager Steve Tilson added: "We have not had any bids yet. Freddy Eastwood is a Southend player and that's the situation until someone makes a telephone call.

"I'm not saying he will go because we want to keep our best players. We have not had any firm bids.

"It was a good performance by us. I felt we created enough good chances to win the game."

Coventry 1 Ipswich 2 - 26/12/2006

Coventry 1 Ipswich 2 - 26/12/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Mikkel Bischoff, Clive Clarke (Marcus Hall 66), Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Colin Cameron (Christopher Birchall 63), Michael Doyle, Stephen Hughes, Stern John, Dele Adebola (Kevin Kyle 63), Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Adam Virgo, Isaac Osbourne
Goals: Doyle 90

Ipswich Town: Lewis Price, Daniel Harding (Matthew Richards 35), Jason De Vos, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor, Sylvain Legwinski, Owen Garvan, Gavin Williams (Simon Walton 87), Gary Roberts, Jon Macken (Billy Clarke 79), Alan Lee
Subs not used: Danny Haynes, Shane Supple
Booked: Sylvain Legwinski 16, Alan Lee 19

Attendance: 22154
Referee: C Oliver

Teamtalk
On-loan striker Jonathan Macken and top scorer Alan Lee eased Ipswich's relegation fears with a 2-1 victory over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Macken, on loan from Crystal Palace, opened the scoring in the 62nd minute when he poked home Gavin Williams' corner from inside the six-yard box.

Lee took his tally for the season into double figures by heading a Billy Clarke cross beyond the outstretched arm of Andy Marshall and into the bottom corner with just five minutes remaining.

Michael Doyle's drive from the edge of the area was more deserving of the mere consolation it gave City.

It was a game of few chances but the hosts started brightly and went close in the first minute when Colin Cameron fired wide from outside the area.

The Scottish midfielder's long-range effort set the tone and Ipswich responded with a shot from distance of their own through Macken in the third minute but, like Cameron's shot, it failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

Cameron linked up with Leon McKenzie midway through the half before sending another effort wide, this time from inside the box.

Ipswich defender Richard Naylor perhaps wasted the best opportunity when he headed over Owen Garvan's free-kick.

Stern John and Stephen Hughes both flashed angled shots past the post before the latter stung the palms of Lewis Price from 25 yards, but that was as close as anyone came in the first half.

Naylor headed over the crossbar again after the break, this time from Roberts' free-kick, before Macken flashed a warning shot across City's bow on the hour.

Two minutes later Macken poked home his third goal of the season prompting a double substitution by Coventry boss Micky Adams, who took off Cameron and Dele Adebola and replaced them with Kevin Kyle and Chris Birchall.

The new arrivals almost made an immediate impact as Birchall was only denied an equaliser by Price's outstretched arm.

Kyle then saw his shot saved at point-blank range after good work by Birchall before the big striker headed Doyle's cross wide 12 minutes from time.

Coventry were made to pay for that miss when Lee struck his 10th goal of the season and Marshall had to tip Roberts' curling effort over the crossbar as Ipswich threatened to make the scoreline more emphatic.

Doyle gave his side hope with three minutes of injury time to be played but City were unable to fashion the chance they needed to secure a point.

CCFC
The Sky Blues are beaten 2-1 by Ipswich with the visitors scoring twice in the second half through Jon Macken and Alan Lee before a late consolation from Michael Doyle.

Micky Adams made one change with Andy Marshall returning in goal for Luke Steele, who sustained a gash to his knee against Luton Town on Saturday. There was no place in the starting eleven for Robert Page, available after suspension, as his wife has gone into labour with their third child. As a result Michael Doyle wore the skipper's armband for the second match in succession.

City were in need of a positive result following two consecutive defeats and created a chance within the first 60 seconds thanks to a bustling run from former Norwich man Leon McKenzie, who squared for Colin Cameron on the edge of the box although he sliced his effort wide.

The Sky Blues were caught napping not long afterwards as Jon Macken went on a weaving run into the City penalty area without even being challenged but thankfully he also failed to hit the target.

With 20 minutes played Ipswich striker Alan Lee went down in the penalty area following a challenge from Elliott Ward, but the referee booked the former Cardiff player for diving.

The match was flowing nicely from end to end and City really should have been ahead in the 22nd minute. More good work from McKenzie down the left flank presented Cameron with a gilt-edged opportunity, but he sidefooted wide from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Jim Magilton made a substitution before half time, taking off Dan Harding, who had suffered a blow to the head early in the game, and replacing him with Matt Richards.

After a spell where neither side created a huge number of openings, City stamped their authority on the tie inn the final five of the first half. Stephen Hughes tested Ipswich keeper Lewis Price with a well struck shot from 25 yards before a McKenzie chip went just wide of the far post.

The visitors came out brightly at the start of the second period and Andy Marshall did well to get down to a deflected shot from Owen Garvan and fingertip it around the post.

But there was nothing the City shot stopper could do to prevent Ipswich taking the lead on the hour mark when Jon Macken stabbed home from virtually on the goalline with the Sky Blues unable to clear the ball at a corner.

Micky Adams had a double switch lined up before the goal and stuck to his guns despite going a goal behind, introducing Kevin Kyle and Chris Birchall for Adebola and Cameron, with Marcus Hall soon coming on in place of Clive Clarke.

McKenzie came close to bringing City level in the 68th minute but Price did well to touch his lofted effort onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.

The Sky Blues were looking increasingly dangerous on the attack and a delightful cross from Birchall nearly presented Kyle with a close range opportunity but Price was quick to smother the Scot's effort.

But City were not really creating enough for a home side trailing by a goal to nil and with five minutes left on the clock Ipswich made it 2-0 with another soft goal from Coventry's point-of-view. The Tractor Boys worked the ball into a wide area and Alan Lee was left unmarked to nod the ball past a helpless Marshall.

Michael Doyle gave the Sky Blues a glimmer of hope with a goal in the 90th minute - smashing a low shot past Price from the edge of the box after McKenzie's square ball was cleared to him.

Despite some late pressure - with McKenzie forcing a great save from Price - it was too little, too late for City and the fans will be demanding more next time out at the Ricoh against Southend on Saturday.

4thegame
Coventry's bogey side Ipswich Town confirmed their hoodoo status as they eased to victory at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues have failed to beat the Tractor Boys home or away in any competition since October 1994.

Ipswich strikers Jon Macken and Alan Lee were the difference with two second-half strike separating the sides, with Michael Doyle replying late on for the Sky Blues.

It saw Coventry slip to their third successive defeat, proving a miserable Christmas for manager Micky Adams.

Coventry received a blow before the game started when inspirational skipper Rob Page pulled out of the side with his wife in labour, having their third child.

But the Sky Blues started the brighter of the two sides and Leon McKenzie's mazy run in the second minute found his way to the by-line as he beat Alex Bruce.

McKenzie's cross eventually found its way to Colin Cameron, but the 34-year-old's shot on the half volley flashed wide.

Ipswich immediately responded and should have taken the lead in the fourth minute. Macken played a one-two with Lee in Coventry's penalty box and the former Manchester City striker put his shot wide when he really should have done better.

Ipswich started to dominate in midfield and a ball into the box got Lee away, who fell under the challenge of Elliott Ward. The Suffolk side appealed for a penalty, but Northumberland referee Clive Oliver booked the forward for diving.

Coventry almost took the lead just before half-time as a long ball from Clive Clarke found McKenzie, who saw Ipswich keeper Lewis Price off his line but his lob from 35 yards fell just wide.

The second half started as tightly as the first half had been with both sides struggling to gain midfield dominance.

A shot from Ipswich's teenage midfielder Owen Garvan from the edge of the penalty area deflected off of Coventry's Richard Duffy and keeper Andy Marshall did well to push the ball behind.

But Ipswich took the lead in the 61st minute following a corner from Gavin Williams.

His cross was met by Richard Naylor's header which Marshall pushed onto the post, but on-loan Crystal Palace forward Macken made amends for his earlier miss by scoring.

Coventry responded by making three quick substitutions bring on Kevin Kyle, Chris Birchall and Marcus Hall.

It almost paid off as Kyle found McKenzie, but his flighted shot was brilliantly tipped over by Price.

Coventry again went close as Birchall's cross found Kyle, but his shot from point blank was smothered by Price.

But the game was over as Lee got his head to a Billy Clarke cross in the 85th to put the result beyond doubt, leading to a chorus of boos from the home side.

Doyle scored an 89th minute consolation for Coventry from the edge of the area after a poor clearance from defence, but it proved too little too late.

Sky Blues assistant boss Adrian Heath said afterwards: "Micky is very, very down. He is a proud man who doesn't want to listen to that (boos from the fans) and he does know what he is doing.

"We are all quite emotional at the moment. When we reflect on the game and watch the video we might have a different appraisal.

"Sometimes you go through something where you have to sit down and reflect if you could have done any more.

"We were looking forward to back-to-back games at home and thought that if we could get a boost we would be up there and around the action, but in the end our late goal masked what was a pretty poor performance." Town boss Jim Magilton added: "This is a massive three points for us.

"We have had a few false dawns so far this season but our performances recently have been good without us picking up the results.

"We expected Coventry to come at us and they did and certainly they had the best chances in the first half, but I said to the guys at half-time that if they could up the tempo and increase the quality we could go on to win the game.

"We got our just rewards when we went two goals up, but still nearly managed to shoot ourselves in the foot and it was all hands to the pump."

Luton 3 Coventry 1 - 23/12/2006

Luton 3 Coventry 1 - 23/12/2006
Luton Town: Dean Kiely, Leon Barnett, Kevin Foley, Markus Heikkinen, Lewis Emanuel, Dean Morgan (Warren Feeney 81), Steve Robinson (Chris Coyne 63), David Bell, Ahmet Brkovic (Richard Langley 83), Carlos Edwards, Rowan Vine
Subs not used: Marlon Beresford, Adam Boyd
Booked: Leon Barnett 63, Markus Heikkinen 23, Dean Morgan 54, Rowan Vine 40
Goals: Brkovic 46, Vine 66, Morgan 68

Coventry City: Luke Steele, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Mikkel Bischoff, Clive Clarke, Colin Cameron (Darren Currie 74), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola (Adam Virgo 74), Leon McKenzie, Stern John (Kevin Kyle 74)
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Christopher Birchall
Goal: Brkovic(OG) 59

Attendance: 8299
Referee: A Taylor

Teamtalk
Ahmet Brkovic got on the scoresheet for both sides before further goals from Rowan Vine and Dean Morgan gave Luton a 3-1 win over Coventry.

Brkovic cancelled out his own first-half stoppage-time strike when he became the became the only player to beat inspired Hatters keeper Dean Kiely, and Vine and Morgan piled on the misery for Coventry with two goals in two minutes after the break.

Coventry's players are banned from boozing over the Christmas period, but manager Micky Adams may feel like drowning his sorrows with his side having leaked eight goals in their last two games.

Adams, still smarting from last week's 5-0 drubbing by West Brom, made four changes with Baggies goalkeeper Luke Steele in the starting line-up after rejoining the club on emergency loan on Friday.

Luton, who were unchanged with stroke-victim Sol Davis' anticipated return put on hold, created the first opportunity when top scorer Vine broke down the left and shot at Steele, who made a nervous initial save but gathered the ball at the second attempt.

Kiely's heroics then kept the scores level with the Luton goal leading a charmed life for the majority of the first half.

First, the hosts failed to deal with a Michael Doyle corner and, with the ball bouncing around the penalty area, Leon McKenzie hooked it towards goal only to see the on-loan Portsmouth keeper fling out a hand to make a superb point-blank save.

And moments later Kiely conjured up a double save to keep out headers from Stern John and Dele Adebola before McKenzie, with the goal gaping, shanked the ball over the top from just six yards.

McKenzie then planted a weak header straight into Kiely's arms from a Stephen Hughes corner before Vine, in a rare Luton attack, was adjudged offside as he tucked away Carlos Edwards' deflected shot.

Kiely came up with yet another superb save, clawing away Hughes' free-kick which looked destined for the top corner, before Luton took the lead seconds before half-time.

Brkovic twisted and turned just inside the area before sending a low shot past Steele and inside the right-hand post.

Luton could have gone two up after the break, but Vine's shot deflected off Mikkel Bischoff and over, before Brkovic forced a sprawling save from Steele with a low drive.

Brkovic went from hero to zero on the hour when, under pressure from the considerable presence of Adebola, he inadvertently headed Hughes' free-kick past Kiely, who got a touch but could not keep the ball out.

But the Croatian midfielder was breathing a sigh of relief five minutes later when Edwards wriggled clear down the right and crossed for Vine to slide the ball past Steele.

And just two minutes after Vine's 11th goal of the season, Morgan grabbed his fourth with a curling free-kick which he bent round the wall and past Steele's outstretched left hand.

City substitute Kevin Kyle headed straight at Kiely late on, but even with four minutes of stoppage time added on the demoralised visitors never looked like getting back into the game.

CCFC
More away day blues for City as they lose by three goals to one against Luton Town.

The home side led at the break despite the Sky Blues having much the better chances after Ahmet Brkovic's late goal but the Croatian turned past the superb Dean Kiely to pull City level. Two goals in quick succession from Rowan Vine and Dean Morgan finished off the sky Blues who now go into two home games in need of a couple of positive results.

Micky Adams rang the changes after last week's humiliating defeat at West Brom. Luke Steele lined-up in goal after rejoining City on an emergency loan from the Baggies, replacing the injured Andy Marshall between the sticks.

Mikkel Bischoff made his full debut for the Sky Blues in place of the suspended Robert Page. Stephen Hughes was also recalled to the starting eleven and Leon McKenzie returned after a one-match ban, with Marcus Hall and Darren Currie dropping to the bench.

Luton had the first sight of goal after a mistake from Bischoff let Luton's leading scorer Rowan Vine through but his run made the shooting angle difficult and Steele gathered the effort. Stern John had City's first shot on goal in the tenth minute, forcing Dean Kiely to get down to his 20-yard shot after neat build-up from the Sky Blues.

On 20 minutes Michael Doyle whipped in a teasing cross with the Luton defence putting it out for a corner. The resulting corner saw Elliott Ward's header fly narrowly wide of the upright.

Minutes later McKenzie forced Kiely into a smart point blank save after he connected with Richard Duffy's free-kick. The City right-back then had the keeper scrambling with a low shot from the edge of the area which curled off target.

New recruit Steele was called into action for the Sky Blues when he saved at the feet of Dean Morgan on 27 minutes. The 'keeper required lengthy treatment after the save which resulted in strapping on his left knee.

Kiely produced a stunning double save on 31 minutes with the former Charlton custodian blocking a powerful downward header from Stern John before getting to his feet to stop the rebound from Colin Cameron.

McKenzie went agonisingly close for the Sky Blues when he had a free header from a Stephen Hughes free-kick but the former Norwich player could only direct his header towards the Luton 'keeper.

The Hatters thought they had broken the deadlock when Vine had a goal disallowed for being offside just before the interval. Moments later City had a free-kick on the edge of the Luton penalty area when Cameron was upended by Barnett, the resulting free-kick from Hughes forcing Kiely into another fine save, as he tipped the shot over the bar.

After bossing practically much of the half, City were caught by a sucker punch in stoppage time when Ahmet Brkovic managed to escape a number of challenges from Coventry players before planting his shot in the far corner from 18 yards.

The Hatters had grown in confidence having scored at such a key time and Vine was causing City's defence plenty of problems with his pace and direct running and Steele was forced into an excellent stop from goalscorer Brkovic as the home side threatened to extend their lead early in the second period.

But on the hour mark the Sky Blues were level as Brkovic headed past his own keeper. Hughes delivered a wicked free-kick into the area following a foul from Barnett and the Luton midfielder rose with McKenzie but saw his header fly past Kiely.

It was only five minutes until Luton were ahead again and it came from Vine who tucked away Carlos Edwards' low centre even though Steele appeared to get something on his close range shot. And two minutes later it was 3-1 to the home side as Dean Morgan smashed home a 25-yard free-kick following a handball from Hughes to virtually kill-off City's hopes of making a comeback.

With 15 left on the clock Micky Adams made a double switch with Adam Virgo and Kevin Kyle replacing strike duo John and Adebola.

But the Sky Blues had little by way of response after Luton had established a two-goal advantage and they go into their Boxing Day fixture against Ipswich desperately in need of a pick-me-up.

4thegame
Two goals in three second-half minutes helped Luton Town collect a much-needed three points against Coventry City.

Rowan Vine's 11th of the season and a stunning Dean Morgan free-kick gave Town the win against the Sky Blues and spared the blushes of Ahmet Brkovic, who netted at both ends.

The Croat put the Hatters 1-0 ahead completely against the run of play with a dipping 20-yard effort on the stroke of half-time.

But he then diverted a header past Dean Kiely on the hour to put the visitors level.

Luton were thankful for a man-of-the-match performance from Kiely, who kept his side in the game with a string of superb first-half saves.

The game kicked off amid gloomy conditions and Luton were the first to sniff out an opening in the fourth minute. Mikkel Bischoff completely missed Steve Robinson's curling pass down the left channel allowing Vine to run in on goal and hit an angled 20-yard drive that Luke Steele gathered at the second attempt.

The visitors though gradually took control and, after Leon Barnett had moved quickly to stop Leon McKenzie running on to Michael Doyle's tenth-minute pass, Stern John tested Kiely with an 18-yard snap-shot seconds later.

The Sky Blues' former West Ham man Elliott Ward then went close with an eight-yard header from a Stephen Hughes corner that flashed just past the post in the 21st minute.

Kiely then had to be alert to block McKenzie's effort from point-blank range after Bischoff had headed on Richard Duffy's deep free-kick into the box.

The Hatters continued to be pressed back and Duffy was next to try his luck with a 20-yard right-foot volley that whistled a foot wide after Kevin Foley had half-headed clear from the full-back's initial chip into the penalty area.

Coventry kept coming and only a miraculous double save from Kiely kept the game goalless in the 31st minute. Foley lost the ball far too easily to McKenzie on the left, and the former Norwich man crossed for Dele Adebola to flick on for John, whose six-yard header was blocked by Kiely.

Then, as the ball fell for Colin Cameron, Luton's on-loan Portsmouth stopper somehow blocked the rebound, before Cameron then sliced over on the stretch.

Another Coventry attack saw McKenzie head straight at Kiely from ten yards in the 34th minute from Hughes' free-kick on the right.

Luton finally got their act together a minute before the break when Lewis Emanuel's driving run down the left led to Lewis Edwards hitting a 25-yard shot that deflected into the path of Vine, who slid the ball home only to be ruled offside.

In stoppage time Kiely continued his heroics with a superb fingertip save to tip Hughes' curling 30-yard free-kick over the bar.

Incredibly the Hatters went into the break a goal up when they scored in the second minute of added-on time completely against the run of play.

Brkovic, who had been largely anonymous for most of the half, dispossessed Cameron and held off Bischoff before despatching a dipping 20-yard effort that went over Steele and nestled in the far corner of the net.

The second period began quietly with a 30-yard Cameron effort and a deflected Vine shot all to show from the first ten minutes of action.

Steele was then called into action in the 57th minute as he pushed Brkovic's 18-yard strike past the post before Brkovic netted again on the hour - only at the wrong end.

The Croat was back doing his defensive duties as Luton faced up to a Hughes free-kick 40 yards out but, as the winger challenged McKenzie for the cross, the ball flicked off his head and found the back of the net off the underside of the crossbar despite Kiely almost keeping the effort out.

Town reshuffled by bringing on Chris Coyne for the ineffective Robinson, moving Barnett into midfield. And the move paid off as the Hatters scored twice in three minutes to seal the points.

Firstly Edwards, who had hardly been involved in the action, received the ball out wide in the 64th minute and crossed for the onrushing Vine to net at the second attempt.

In the 66th minute Luton were in the driving seat when Town won a free-kick for a Hughes handball and Morgan stepped up to arrow a superb drive into the far corner from 25 yards to the delight of the home faithful.

Coventry made a triple substitution as they chased the game, bringing on Adam Virgo, Darren Currie and Kevin Kyle but, apart from a 25-yard Hughes shot well fielded by Kiely late on, they never looked like fighting back.

Town boss Mike Newell said: "It's a great result, but you have to say they were the better team in the first half.

"We were thankful to Dean Kiely, but that's what goalkeeper's are there for.

"The goal came at a crucial time and changed the course of the game for us and I have to say we played some better stuff in the second half.

"People start moaning and groaning when we don't beat teams, but you only have to look at their bench and the players they've got and the players that have got Premiership experience - we haven't go that." City boss Micky Adams said: "The players have come off shaking their heads. They can't believe they've lost 3-1.

"Luton's goalkeeper was man-of-the-match and rightly so for his first-half performance.

"We won't be changing things though, we'll go about the next game as we do every other.

"If we play like we did in the first half we'll end up winning more than we'll end up losing away from home."

West Brom 5 Coventry 0 - 16/12/2006

West Brom 5 Coventry 0 - 16/12/2006

West Bromwich Albion: Russell Hoult, Martin Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Paul Robinson, Paul McShane, Nigel Quashie, Jonathan Greening, Jason Koumas (Neil Clement 74), Diomansy Kamara (Zoltan Gera 65), Kevin Phillips, John Hartson (Nathan Ellington 59)
Subs not used: Darren Carter, Luke Steele
Booked: Diomansy Kamara 45
Goals : Kamara 1, 33 (pen), Koumas 39, Phillips 57, Robinson 83

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward (Mikkel Bischoff 61), Richard Duffy, Robert Page, Clive Clarke (Christopher Birchall 74), Darren Currie (Kevin Kyle 62), Colin Cameron, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Stern John
Subs not used: Adam Virgo, Stephen Hughes
Booked: Richard Duffy 45, Robert Page 37, Clive Clarke 45, Michael Doyle 35

Attendance: 20370
Referee: M Jones

Teamtalk
Diomansy Kamara, Jason Koumas, Kevin Phillips and Paul Robinson were on target as West Brom brushed aside Coventry 5-0 at The Hawthorns.

Kamara made an impressive return to the Albion side with a quickfire brace in the first half, while Jason Koumas continued his renaissance with a neat finish to make it two goals in as many games.

Former England international Phillips then added a fourth before Robinson completed the scoring late on as Coventry crumbled in dramatic fashion after conceding three times inside the opening 39 minutes.

City were behind with barely 30 seconds played as Kamara took full advantage of some hesitant defending to latch on to a wayward ball and race clear of his marker before rounding goalkeeper Andy Marshall and rolling the ball into the empty net.

The Sky Blues, without the suspended Leon McKenzie, had forged a five-game unbeaten streak before the trip to the Hawthorns and responded well to Kamara's opener as Stern John brought an instinctive save from goalkeeper Russell Hoult with a powerful header shortly after in a frenetic opening.

Phillips looked particularly lively in the early stages as Marshall reacted quickly to palm his low six-yard drive to safety after 12 minutes before the 33-year-old saw a speculative goalward punt blocked by Michael Doyle as Albion pushed for a second.

The hosts continued to lay siege to the Coventry goal as John Hartson blazed wide from 25 yards while, at the other end, Doyle failed to trouble Hoult with a 20-yard volley.

Buoyed by his early goal, Kamara skewed a shot wide on the half-hour before adding a second from the penalty spot after he was upended by Marcus Hall and held his nerve to stroke home the spot-kick.

Albion were attacking with real purpose and were soon celebrating a third as Phillips played a raking ball to Koumas and his right-footed drive squirmed past Marshall to hand the home side a comfortable lead at the interval.

Any faint hopes City had of mounting a second-half fightback were then dashed 10 minutes into the second half as Phillips seized on Darren Currie's weak headed back-pass before clinically firing home from the edge of the penalty area to record his first goal since October.

Albion highlighted the array of attacking options in their ranks shortly after as Nathan Ellington and Zoltan Gera were introduced at the expense of Hartson and Kamara, who was afforded a rapturous reception from the home supporters after his powerhouse performance.

Ellington made an instant impact as he plundered a rasping 20-yard shot just over before Colin Cameron dragged a rare Coventry attack wide with 20 minutes left.

Phillips looked galvanised by his earlier goal and went close to adding a second as he flashed a long-range effort inches wide but Albion's late pressure did pay off as Robinson completed the rout seven minutes from time.

Midfielder Jonathan Greening made inroads down the left flank and his cross was superbly headed past Marshall from six yards as Albion cruised to their most emphatic win of the season.

CCFC
It was an afternoon to forget as Coventry City lost 5-0 to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

The Sky Blues went behind after only 31 seconds through Diomansy Kamara - seconds after Adebola had a chance at the other end to open the scoring.

Kamara added another from the penalty spot before Jason Koumas scored the third as the Baggies dominated.

Kevin Phillips and Paul Robinson wrapped up the points in the second half as Coventry - who before the game had the second best defensive record in the Championship - crumbled.

Micky Adams made one change to the side which travelled to The Hawthorns, with Marcus Hall coming into the side for the suspended Leon McKenzie.

The move meant that Hall was reinstalled at left-back, with Clive Clarke moving to central midfield. Colin Cameron moved out wide.

West Brom also made one change, with Kamara replacing Zoltan Gera on the right hand side of midfield.

The Sky Blues suffered from a nightmare start when they went behind after 31 seconds. Koumas' through-ball found Kamara, who beat Marshall to the ball before taking around the keeper and walking it into the goal.

But Coventry didn't let their heads drop and after seven minutes, they could have pulled it back to level terms when John connected with Currie's cross, only for Hoult to save at his near post.

Five minutes later, it was Marshall who was called into action as he saved from Phillips at point-blank range, before at the other end, Adebola cut the ball back into the area but Hoult collected Doyle's effort.

Hartson fired wide on 23 minutes as the Baggies searched for another, before the lively-looking Koumas fired a free-kick after the corner of the goal.

It went from bad to worse for the Sky Blues on 33 minutes, when the home side were awarded a penalty after Hall was adjudged to have fouled Kamara and from the resulting spot-kick, the Senegalese striker sent Marshall the wrong way for his second of the game.

Doyle went into the book for a foul on Koumas a minute later as Tony Mowbray's side exerted more pressure, but the result free-kick sailed well over the target.

Page was booked for a foul on Kamara - his fifth of the season - before Coventry threatened as Clarke's shot was deflected wide.

The third goal that West Brom were so desperately trying to find arrived on 39 minutes - and it was disappointing that it came from a Sky Blues corner. Phillips broke from City's penalty area and played a defence-splitting pass to Koumas on the left-hand side, who cut inside and struck his shot, which squirmed under the body of Marshall and went in.

Frustration was getting to the Sky Blues players and Clarke was the next to go into the book on the stroke of half-time - along with Kamara - and Duffy joined them moments later for a deliberate handball.

The second half started as the first had ended - with West Brom dominating. Hartson beat Ward to the ball in the air to force Marshall down to save.

The Sky Blues were awarded a free-kick when Adebola was brought down on 53 minutes and from the resulting set-piece, Clarke saw his shot deflected over the crossbar.

It was a becoming a rout at the Hawthorns and with 57 on the clock, Mowbray's team made it 4-0. Phillips picked up a loose ball from Currie in the midfield and the former Sunderland man finished beautifully from the edge of the box past the outstretched hand of Marshall.

Ellington replaced Hartson a minute before the hour, before the Sky Blues made a double substitution - Mikkel Bischoff replacing Ward and Kevin Kyle coming on for Currie on 62 minutes. It was the Dane's first appearance for Coventry since signing at the Ricoh Arena from Man City in the summer.

Cameron lifted his shot inches wide of the post on 70 minutes after finding himself one-on-one with Hoult before Chris Birchall replaced Clarke four minutes later. West Brom also made a change, with Clement replacing star-man Koumas.

West Brom wrapped up the game with their fifth strike of the afternoon as Jonathan Greening turned Duffy inside-out before crossing to Paul Robinson, who headed it past Marshall for his first-ever goal at The Hawthorns.

A mention must be made for the Sky Blues supporters, who sang for the entirety of the game, despite being behind from the off.

4thegame
Quick-fire Diomansy Kamara helped himself to a double to help ensure West Bromwich Albion were crowned Derby Day Kings again as shell-shocked Coventry City were simply swept aside by a goals avalanche.

Coventry, who had been defending a five-game unbeaten run, went the same way as Midlands rivals Leicester City, Wolves and Derby County, who had all been beaten at Fortress Hawthorns this season.

Albion sealed only their fourth success in 12 games under the control of Tony Mowbray as Kamara struck twice in the first half to take his tally for the season to ten.

With Jason Koumas on target with his third goal in four games six minutes before half-time, Kevin Phillips pouncing in the 57th minute and Paul Robinson grabbing a late fifth it was a day to forget for Coventry as Albion powered their way back into the promotion picture.

Kamara struck first after just 31 seconds but, amazingly, Coventry, who had the second meanest defence in the Championship before Albion tore it apart, could have been in front by then themselves.

Had their finishing been better and Albion goalkeeper Russell Hoult not been in such good form, Coventry would have had more of a role to play.

But they were undone by Albion's powerful forward line in which Phillips and John Hartson were outstanding.

Albion took full advantage of a let-off in the opening ten seconds when Hoult tipped away Dele Adebola's header after a flick by Stern John.

They only needed a matter of seconds to capitalise as a throughball by Koumas released Kamara who waltzed around goalkeeper Andy Marshall before walking the ball into an empty net.

Albion's lead should have only lasted six minutes as John wasted a golden chance to equalise when his header from Darren Currie's cross was saved by Hoult.

It was a crucial miss as Albion effectively sealed their victory in the 33rd minute when Kamara was hauled down by left-back Marcus Hall. The Senegal international picked himself to convert the spot kick himself.

Coventry's hopes of a comeback were then extinguished after 39 minutes when Phillips released Koumas who drove home his fourth goal of the season at the near post.

Phillips then struck with a low drive from 20 yards to grab his sixth goal of the season - and his first since his hat-trick at Ipswich Town on October 14.

To compound Coventry's misery, left-back Robinson completed the rout when he headed home his first goal of the campaign in the 83rd minute following Jonathan Greening's cross.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray said: "There are signs we are starting to get where I want the team to go.

"People keep telling me we have the best squad in the division. If you can mould that talent with work ethic you can go a long way.

"There are still some ingredients that I need to find to make the balance of the squad right.

"What I want to see from the team consistently is a side that will fight for each other and plays for each other and covers for each other and enjoys each other's company." Coventry boss Micky Adams said: "Apart from Colin Cameron I think the rest will find it hard to look at themselves in the mirror.

"Some of the goals were basic defensive errors. I was shocked. It has reminded us all that this is a tough league in which to break into the top six.

"To do that we need to improve the quality but we will keep going.

"We went into the game with a lot of confidence but West Brom looked up for it and we went the other way and couldn't raise our standards."

Coventry 1 Burnley 0 - 09/11/2006

Coventry 1 Burnley 0 - 09/11/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Colin Cameron, Michael Doyle, Darren Currie (Stephen Hughes 84), Leon McKenzie (Kevin Kyle 90), Stern John, Dele Adebola
Subs not used: Christopher Birchall, Adam Virgo, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Leon McKenzie 69
Goals: Cameron (31)

Burnley: Danny Coyne, Jon Harley, John McGreal, Michael Duff, Wayne Thomas, Steve Jones (Steven Foster 90), Chris McCann, James O'Connor (Alan Mahon 80), Wade Elliott (Graham Branch 76), Gifton Noel-Williams, Kyle Lafferty
Subs not used: Frank Sinclair, Micah Hyde
Booked: Jon Harley 64, Chris McCann 53, James O'Connor 7

Attendance: 18362
Referee: M Thorpe

Teamtalk
Colin Cameron's penalty was the only goal of the game against Burnley as Coventry extended their unbeaten Championship run to five matches.

The Clarets had the better of the first half and Steve Jones should have put them ahead from close range early on.

But Cameron converted from the spot on 31 minutes after referee Mike Thorpe penalised Wayne Thomas' challenge on Dele Adebola.

The Sky Blues emerged a different team after half-time and ran Burnley ragged with a blistering display.

Leon McKenzie hit the crossbar, Stern John wasted a great chance and Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne pulled off a fine save from a Robert Page header.

But Cameron's second goal of the season proved enough to dent Burnley's play-off ambitions with a fourth defeat in six matches, an outcome that looked unlikely on the evidence of much of the opening period.

The Clarets weathered some early pressure from the hosts and should have taken the lead after five minutes.

Jon Harley's deflected cross from the left eventually fell for Jones five yards out but Sky Blues goalkeeper Andy Marshall reacted quickly and blocked wide.

Kyle Lafferty had a couple of shots deflected past the post as the Clarets continued to dominate possession.

Despite a positive selection that included three attack-minded players in midfield, Micky Adams' City side were limited going forward.

The lively Jones failed to work Marshall from 10 yards in the 24th minute after neat work from Harley and Gifton Noel-Williams down the left.

But, just before the half hour mark, John's bouncing ball into the area saw Thomas catch Adebola and the referee pointed to the spot.

Cameron sent the spot-kick into the top left corner, with Coyne diving the wrong way, to give the hosts the lead.

Lafferty forced a low stop from Marshall with 10 minutes of the first half remaining while, at the other end, Coyne tipped a dipping Leon McKenzie cross over the bar.

Jones fizzed a couple of drives wide of the near post and Coventry held their advantage at the interval.

City seemed more positive after half-time and the previously anonymous Darren Currie curled just high and wide seven minutes in.

With 11 minutes of the second half gone, Currie swept a quickly-taken free-kick over to the right and McKenzie cut inside Harley, with his curling effort only kept out by the bar.

Noel-Williams stumbled when he could have tested Marshall but Coventry continued to pile forward.

John should have added a second after the impressive Adebola squared, while McKenzie was way off target with a couple of wild strikes.

With 10 minutes remaining, Page rose to meet Currie's corner but Coyne pushed the ball around the post with his fingertips.

The hard-working Lafferty had a low drive pushed wide by Marshall with three minutes remaining and Elliott Ward headed Graham Branch's effort off the line in added time as the Sky Blues held on for victory.

CCFC
City beat Burnley by a goal to nil thanks to a first half Colin Cameron penalty.

Stern John returned to the starting line-up to partner the in-form Dele Adebola up front for the first time since August. Leon McKenzie dropped onto the left hand side of midfield, with Clive Clarke slotting in at left-back in place of the suspended Marcus Hall.

City started well and in the first minute Richard Duffy found space down the right and cut past Jon Harley to deliver a dangerous cross which was flicked behind for a corner. Burnley then created their first meaningful attack in the sixth minute and Andy Marshall had to be alert to smother a close range effort from Steve Jones.

The game had petered out somewhat for a good 15 minutes but Jones forced Marshall into another save with 24 minutes on the clock, although the City shot stopper was equal to it.

But in the 31st minute the Sky Blues took the lead thanks to a Colin Cameron penalty. The referee took his time awarding the decision but decided that John McGreal had fouled Dele Adebola and the former Wolves man made not mistake, blasting his spotkick high into the left hand corner, sending Danny Coyne the wrong way.

There was an instant response from the visitors who put City under some severe pressure but McKenzie almost put the Sky Blues two clear when he forced Coyne to tip over his crossbar with a lofted effort from the right edge of the area.

The Clarets continued to test their hosts and Wade Elliott sent a low free-kick narrowly wide with five minutes to go in the first half. Burnley had enjoyed the majority of shots on goal in the opening period but failed to take any of them, while the Sky Blues had defended solidly and got a vital foothold going into the second 45.

Not long after the break Adebola forced a good stop from Coyne with a fierce low shot across the face of goal as City looked to extend their advantage.

McKenzie went closer still to making it 2-0 when he hit the crossbar with a fine curling shot and then sent a powerful header over from a Darren Currie cross. It was then Currie's turn to try his luck, but his shot after good work by Adebola - was easily gathered by Coyne.

Having not created too many opportunities in the first half, City were not guilty of wasting some excellent chances to put the game to bed. With just over 20 minutes to go Stern John shot wide when he should have at least hit the target from Adebola's pullback.

Robert Page was the next player to come close, forcing a brilliant fingertip save from Coyne with a strong far post header from Currie's corner.

With seven minutes remaining Stephen Hughes came on for Currie for his first slice of the action since losing the captain's armband.

In the 87th minute Kyle Lafferty caught the Sky Blues defence off guard but thankfully the excellent Marshall was equal to his shot to prevent an equaliser.

After a poor first half, the game picked up in the second and City could have won by a bigger margin. The result was the most important thing and with another superb defensive performance this was an excellent three points going into a hectic festive period.

4thegame
A solitary goal against the team with the best defensive away record in the Championship gave Coventry City victory over hard-working Burnley.

Colin Cameron's first-half spot-kick extended the Sky Blues' run to five unbeaten games.

Coventry started brightly with Darren Currie testing Burnley's defence down the right but it was the visitors who created the game's first clear chance in the sixth minute.

Wade Elliott picked out the run of team-mate Steve Jones into the box with a fine pass and the former Crewe midfielder's shot from an acute angle was palmed away by Andy Marshall from six yards.

Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty unleashed a fierce shot which was blocked by Robert Page following a mazy run by Jones, but it was the hosts who took the lead with their first shot on target in the 31st minute.

Dele Adebola exchanged passes with Stern John and, as the giant striker ran into the box, he was fouled by a high challenge from John McGreal.

Burnley's unhappy players surrounded referee Mike Thorpe for awarding a penalty but, after a short delay while Adebola received treatment, Cameron stepped up to powerfully strike the spot-kick high into the left-hand corner of the net. That was only the tenth goal Burnley's mean defence had conceded away from Turf Moor.

Leon McKenzie might have doubled Coventry's lead with a cross-cum-shot from the right which keeper Danny Coyne tipped over the bar.

Steve Cotterill's men kept pressing and were awarded a free-kick when Page fouled Gifton Noel-Williams. Jon Harley nudged the free-kick to the dangerous Jones and his skidding shot whistled inches past a post.

After the break, Currie sent Burnley skipper Wayne Thomas in the wrong direction to unleash a shot from 22 yards which arrowed over the bar.

The on-loan Currie was again the architect of a chance for Micky Adams' men when his quick free-kick in the 57th minute picked out McKenzie on the right of the box. His shot from a tight angle rebounded off the bar.

Burnley responded with Elliott's pass falling to Lafferty and he knocked the ball sideways to Noel-Williams, but Page made a vital block to prevent his shot troubling Marshall.

Coventry began to dominate, McKenzie robbing McGreal of possession near the byline on the right but the angle was too tight for his strike to find the back of the net.

Adebola showed great awareness to pull a pass back to John on the edge of the area but the Trinidad and Tobago international's shot from the edge of the area sizzled past Coyne's left-hand post.

Currie's corner from the right was met by a powerful header from skipper Page but Coyne produced a magnificent finger-tip save to prevent the hosts from adding to their lead.

Coventry manager Micky Adams said: "It was a hard-fought three points. We knew it was going to be a difficult game but our application was right. I felt in the second half it should have been more comfortable.

"I think McGreal was unlucky to give away the penalty. He didn't really see Dele. He has put his foot up to clear the ball and he has caught Dele.

"I have sometimes seen them given and I have seen them waved away. I can understand why Steve (Cotterill) might be a little bit irate with it.

"I like to think those decisions even themselves out over the course of the season." Burnley boss Steve Cotterill said: "I thought it wasn't a penalty. John McGreal has kicked the ball - that's what he's done. If it was that bad why didn't he book him because he booked four of ours afterwards.

"It will be an interesting phone call to Keith Hackett on Monday morning. That decision has cost us because no way was it a penalty.

"It was a match-deciding decision. We have got to sharpen up and get better referees. There were big decisions to be made today but the big decisions the referee got wrong.

"Apart from not being ruthless enough with our chances I thought we were excellent. We have come away to a team that is in-form and I thought we were the better team."

Coventry 0 Stoke 0 - 02/12/2006

Coventry 0 Stoke 0 - 02/12/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Dele Adebola, Colin Cameron (Stern John 66), Michael Doyle, Darren Currie, Leon McKenzie (Christopher Birchall 90)
Subs not used: Rafael, Adam Virgo, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Marcus Hall 77

Stoke City: Steve Simonsen, Michael Duberry, Danny Higginbotham, Carl Hoefkens, Andy Griffin, Patrik Berger (David Brammer 90), Darel Russell, Salif Diao, Lee Hendrie, Ricardo Fuller (Vincent Pericard 88), Mamady Sidibe
Subs not used: Clint Hill, Peter Sweeney, Lewis Buxton
Booked: Darel Russell 71

Attendance: 19073
Ref: N MIller

Teamtalk
Dele Adebola squandered the two best chances as the Sky Blues fought out a dire goalless draw with in-form Stoke at the Ricoh Arena.

After 18 minutes Adebola headed wide Leon McKenzie's cross when he was well placed and unmarked and in injury-time at the end of the first half, he could only head onto the bar from Darren Currie's ball in.

The visitors, who had won their previous five matches, were limited in attack but after the break a sixth consecutive clean sheet never looked in doubt.

The final quarter at last saw some urgency, with Stoke's Ricardo Fuller going close on a number of occasions, but a poor game finished goalless with the hosts making it four matches unbeaten.

For two sides in such good form it was flat opening from the off, although Stoke's Mamady Sidibe had a drive held by Andy Marshall and Fuller also forced an early save from the Sky Blues goalkeeper.

Coventry were struggling to make inroads and a poor McKenzie header from Currie's corner was all they had to show for the opening 17 minutes.

But a minute later, Richard Duffy played McKenzie through, with more than a hint of offside, and his cross from the right found his strike partner but Adebola, with goals in his previous two matches, nodded wide from 10 yards out.

Stoke's Lee Hendrie hooked a free-kick over from 20 yards and Fuller showed his class, with 27 minutes gone, surging past Marcus Hall and Michael Doyle only to be thwarted by a fine low stop from Marshall.

With Currie a constant threat, the Sky Blues finished the half strongly and Adebola hit the woodwork from a cross from the industrious winger.

The hosts maintained their ascendancy after the interval and Clive Clarke sliced wide from the edge of the area against his old club.

Salif Diao was having an impressive afternoon defensively and the on-loan Liverpool midfielder did well to turn away Colin Cameron's cross under his own bar.

The Potters finally produced some decent football and combination play between Fuller and Hendrie created space for Berger, whose strike was deflected wide.

And midway through the second period, Sidibe made a mess of a great opportunity after Andy Griffin and Hendrie linked, the big striker running too wide and causing Marshall few problems with a scuffed effort.

With 20 minutes left, the game seemed finally to have come to life and from a disputed corner, McKenzie was just blocked as the Potters cleared desperately.

A couple of minutes later, Hendrie drove through the Coventry midfield and Fuller's close-range shot was blocked wide.

Fuller then saw a curling effort palmed away by Marshall and the same player volleyed over from the subsequent corner.

Coventry substitute Stern John blasted well off target with a minute left and the game finished in stalemate.

CCFC
A game of few chances ends goalless but it was the Sky Blues who came closest to victory with Dele Adebola denied by the woodwork in the first half.

Micky Adams kept faith with the same players who had earned the Sky Blues four points from two tough away games against QPR and Preston.

Darren Currie was making his home debut and had an early opportunity to show the Sky Blue Army what his set piece deliveries are like with a free-kick in an attacking position but he failed to clear the first man.

Some uncharacteristically weak defending from Elliott Ward then allowed Mamady Sidibe to get the first shot on target in the fourth minute but his low shot from outside the box was easily gathered by Andy Marshall.

The game did not really get going for the first 15 as these two defensively strong outfits sounded each other out but in the 18th minute, City carved out a fine move which nearly brought about the opener. Leon McKenzie escaped down the left and pulled back a beautiful cross for the in-form Dele Adebola to run on to but he planted his firm header just wide of the post.

Stoke's top scorer Ricardo Fuller proved what a threat he is in the 27th minute with a weaving run from his own half which resulted in a low shot and superb stop from Marshall.

Currie's set piece deliveries improved dramatically after that first poor effort and with ten to go in the first half he sent in a perfect corner which McKenzie headed on target only to be denied by a fine point blank save by Potters keeper Steve Simonsen.

And right at the death another beautifully flighted cross from the on-loan winger found Adebola at the far post but his header back across goal rebounded off the inside of the opposite upright and out to safety.

City went into the interval knowing that they could well be at least one goal clear and with no dramatic action in the opening stages of the second period the fans were calling for the introduction of Stern John to add some fresh impetus to the Sky Blues' attack.

They got their wish in the 65th minute when the Trinidad and Tobago international replaced Colin Cameron. John joined Adebola in attack while McKenzie dropped to the left hand side of midfield with Currie switching to the right.

The new introduction was nearly played through on goal not long after entering the fray but Simonsen was quick to come out his box and clear. At the other end it took a superb last ditch challenge from Ward to deny Fuller as it became increasingly apparent that this was a game likely to be settled by a solitary goal.

Towards the end Tony Pulis introduced Vincent Pericard who scored a hat-trick against City for Plymouth last season.

4thegame
Stoke City's miserly defence continued its mean streak as the away side set a new club record by keeping a clean sheet for the sixth consecutive game.

The Potteries side failed to chalk up their sixth consecutive win but will be satisfied with a point in a tight game.

In an entertaining match, Coventry shaded the first half with Stoke on top of the second and both sides were happy to settle for a point at the end.

In a tight start, it was Stoke that had the first chance of the match as Coventry's Elliott Ward made a hash of a clearance in the fourth minute.

It was intercepted by Mamady Sidibe whose shot from the edge of the area brought a smart save down to keeper Andy Marshall's left.

Coventry's first real effort didn't come until the 17th minute as Leon McKenzie rose to head Darren Currie's corner just over.

The chance sparked the Sky Blues into life as, a minute later, McKenzie broke down the right before cutting in and supplying a lovely flighted cross to Dele Adebola, but the in-form striker powered his header narrowly wide.

Stoke gradually started to show why they were in such good form going into the game as they started to take a stranglehold in midfield, although they created little.

But it almost paid off as Carl Hoefkens robbed Clive Clarke in midfield and released Ricardo Fuller. The Jamaican ran 20 yards, shrugged off the challenge of Marcus Hall, but Marshall saved the shot at the second attempt.

Coventry finished the first half on top and almost snatched the lead in stoppage time. On-loan Currie, playing wide on the left and causing Hoefkens constant problems, supplied another delightful in-swinging cross that Adebola met, but his header hit the inside of the post before coming back into play.

The second half started as tight as the first had been with both sides struggling to gain the upper-hand.

Colin Cameron was released on the right in the 58th minute before delivering a wicked cross which Salif Diao did well to head clear under pressure from McKenzie.

A minute later Stoke almost took the lead from an unlikely source as Hall, in tackling Fuller, saw the ball loop just over his own crossbar.

Stoke enjoyed a spell of pressure as Fuller released Sidibe who was one-on-one with the keeper but the 26-year-old's shot was parried by Marshall.

From the resulting corner, Patrik Berger's pile-driver was desperately cleared by Hall virtually off the line.

Fuller's lovely curling shot from the edge of the area was desperately tipped around the post by Marshall as Stoke started to sense victory.

Coventry brought on Stern John and Stoke introduced Vincent Pericard in a bid to win the game but the match eventually ended all-square.

Sky Blues Micky Adams said after the stalemate: "That was probably a fair result. I think they are the form team in this league and we've had to stand our corner at times and we've done that again today.

"I was delighted with the first-half performance rather than our second-half showing but I'm pleased with a point.

"Their defensive record speaks for itself and we don't give away many here so you could say the game was a 0-0 banker." Potters boss Tony Pulis said: "It's a great defensive record and, when you look at the attacking players we have in the team, it's an even bigger achievement for my defence, goalkeeper and central midfielders.

"We have got a good run going and maybe we'll have to look at strengthening when the window opens.

"At any time I could get a call to say that the loan players have got to go back. But I cannot spend my time worrying about things I cannot control."