Saturday, March 29, 2008

Coventry 3 Plymouth 1 - 29/03/2008

Coventry 3 Plymouth 1 - 29/03/2008

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Elliott Ward, Isaac Osbourne, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Stephen Hughes, Julian Gray (Kevin Thornton 61), Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Robbie Simpson, Michael Mifsud (Zavon Hines 87)
Subs not used: Richard Duffy, Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall
Booked: Robbie Simpson 79
Goals: Michael Doyle 37,43, Jay Tabb 65

Plymouth Argyle: Luke McCormick, Chris Clark (Nadjim Abdou 68), Gary Sawyer (Jamie Mackie 68), Marcel Seip, Russell Anderson (Krisztian Timar 67), Paul Connolly, Jamie Paterson, Paul Wotton, Gary Teale, Steven MacLean, Jermaine Easter
Subs not used: Lucas Jutkiewicz, Lilian Nalis
Booked: Gary Sawyer 16, Steven MacLean 32, Jamie Paterson 71, Jermaine Easter 3
Goals: Steven MacLean 81

Attendance: 18775
Referee: R Beeby

Teamtalk
A brace from Michael Doyle and a Jay Tabb strike boosted Coventry's hopes of escaping the drop, as they beat Plymouth 3-1 at the Ricoh Arena.

Doyle struck twice in the space of six minutes towards the end of the first period, firing home from 12 yards after 37 minutes then doubling the Sky Blues' lead two minutes before the whistle.

Chris Coleman's side were good value for their win as they reduced play-off chasing Plymouth to virtual spectators.

The Sky Blues started the day having picked up just one win in their last seven league games while Plymouth had won just one of their last four matches.

Coventry boss Coleman named on-loan striker Zavon Hines as a substitute but was without forward Leon Best who began a two-match ban.

Plymouth were missing suspended Hungary winger Peter Halmosi but welcomed back four players from international duty - Wales striker Jermaine Easter, Hungarian central defender Krisztian Timar and Scotland duo Gary Teale and Russell Anderson.

City's Stephen Hughes had his side's first effort, his left-footed 20-yard shot testing goalkeeper Luke McCormick in only the third minute.

And again Coventry went close in the 11th minute when Tabb's 25-yard volley went well wide of the left-hand post.

Plymouth's first chance came from a 20th-minute effort from Steven MacLean whose 20-yard shot went well wide of the Coventry right-hand post.

Julian Gray's close-range effort then went just over the Pilgrims' crossbar with half-an-hour on the board.

The Sky Blues' dominance paid off in the 36th minute when Doyle's close-range effort beat the outstretched McCormick and just six minutes later they extended their lead again through Doyle when his left-footed shot flew into the top left-hand corner of the Plymouth goal.

Coventry's dominance continued into the second half when the lively Tabb raced clear down the right only to see his shot go well over the Plymouth bar.

It was Tabb who secured all three points for the Sky Blues in the 64th minute when he latched onto a Robbie Simpson cross to direct his shot into the bottom of the Pilgrims' goal.

Straight after Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock threw caution to the wind, making a triple attacking substitution to try and dent Coventry's three-goal cushion.

Plymouth did get a consolation in the 80th minute when MacLean's close-range shot beat Kasper Schmeichel in the Coventry goal.

But it was too little to late as Coventry continued to push for a fourth when Michael Mifsud's 20-yard effort was blocked by Plymouth defender Marcel Seip.

CCFC
The Sky Blues got back to winning ways thanks to a first half double by Michael Doyle and a superbly worked Jay Tabb goal early in the second half.

After a slow start, Doyle smashed two goals in the space of seven minutes at the end of the opening period with Tabb's strike effectively ending the tie before Steve MacLean scored a late consolation goal for the visitors.

In the second minute referee Richard Beeby showed Plymouth striker Jermaine Easter a yellow card after he tried to con the match official into awarding a penalty. Scott Dann did not get much on a back header to Kasper Schmeichel and Easter nipped in to knock the ball past the City keeper before taking a dive. Thankfully Beeby was not fooled and instantly booked the Argyle forward.

In the 12th minute the visitors missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Gary Sawyer attempted a shot from 25 yards but miscued so badly it appeared it would go out for a throw-in. However, with City's defenders napping, Jim Paterson reacted quickest and squared for Steve MacLean who somehow missed from five yards out with the goal at his mercy.

City had failed to stamp their authority on the tie as they had in recent home encounters but by the half hour mark had started to show more as an attacking outfit with Robbie Simpson - recalled to the starting line-up in the absence of Leon Best - looking lively up front.

But the opening goal came from midfield after City had showed plenty of composure in possession of the ball. A Jay Tabb cross from the right found its way to Michael Doyle at the far post via a good flick-on by Simpson and the Irishman fired a crisp volley past keeper Luke McCormick to give the Sky Blues a35th minute lead.

Having waited so long for a goal, you could see the pressure lifted from the shoulders of the City players and by the 42nd minute it was 2-0, with Doyle again the scorer. Argyle skipper Paul Wotton sold Russell Anderson short and Jay Tabb nicked the ball to race clear of the Plymouth defence. The energetic midfielder reached the penalty box, looked up and delivered an inch perfect pass for Doyle to slot home from six yards out.

The game was nearly out of sight in the 52nd minute when City came close to a third, defender Scott Dann's accurate header cleared off the line by a Plymouth defender.

Just after the hour mark Chris Coleman made his first change, bringing on Kevin Thornton for Julian Gray and switching to a 4-5-1 system, with Simpson playing the lone striker role.

And the switch did not stop the Sky Blues from playing some excellent football going forward, with Jay Tabb making it 3-0 in the 66th minute with a superbly worked goal.

Simpson did brilliantly to win possession on the left and play the ball back to Tabb, who cut inside, fed Thornton and then received the ball back again before slotting calmly past McCormick.

The goal prompted a triple substitution from a clearly disgruntled Paul Sturrock who had seen his side's hopes pretty much disappear completely after City went three goals clear.

In the 82nd minute Steve MacLean pulled one back for the visitors when he smashed into the roof of the net from close range after the Sky Blues had failed to clear their lines.

But City remained in control and in the dying stages loan signing Zavon Hines was introduced in place of Michael Mifsud, although the youngster had little time to impress, despite the referee mysteriously awarding five minutes of stoppage time at the end, which the visitors failed to take advantage of.

4thegame
Coventry City eased their relegation worries with a much-needed win against high-flying Plymouth Argyle.

Two first-half goals from Michael Doyle and Jay Tabb's second-half strike wrapped up the victory before the visitors bagged a late consolation.

Play-off chasing Plymouth should have gone ahead in the 13th minute when Gary Sawyer's deflected shot was picked up by Jim Paterson on the left wing.

His cross was prodded just wide of the far post from close range by Steve MacLean.

Northamptonshire referee Richard Beeby, who booked Plymouth's Jermaine Easter and Sawyer in the first 15 minutes, also showed a yellow card to MacLean for taking a free-kick without permission.

Paterson then stepped up to take the 20-yard free-kick which flew inches over the bar.

But the Sky Blues broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Robbie Simpson's header was lashed home from 14 yards by Doyle to the left of the box.

The Irishman wasted little time in adding his second goal six minutes later.

Tabb intercepted Paul Wotton's pass and beat Russell Anderson to whip over a cross from the right which Doyle knocked home at the far post.

Chris Coleman's side went close in the 53rd minute when Danny Fox's corner found the head of Scott Dann, but Chris Clark headed the ball off the line.

The hosts finally added a third goal in the 65th minute following a neat passing move involving Simpson, Tabb and Kevin Thornton, who set up Tabb to steer in a shot from 12 yards.

Plymouth grabbed an 81st minute consolation when Kasper Schmeichel was beaten for the first time in the third match of his loan spell when MacLean pounced from ten yards.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Southampton 0 Coventry 0 - 22/03/2007

Southampton 0 Coventry 0 - 22/03/2007

Southampton: Richard Wright, Gregory Vignal, Wayne Thomas, Darren Powell, John Viafara, Mario Licka, Youssef Safri, Jermaine Wright, Jason Euell, Vincent Pericard (Bradley Wright-Phillips 70), Stern John,
Subs not used: Andrew Surman, Alexander Ostlund, Kelvin Davis, Adam Hammill

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, Kevin Thornton (Julian Gray 64), Michael Doyle, Leon Best, Michael Mifsud (Robbie Simpson 81),
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Richard Duffy, Gary Borrowdale
Booked: Stephen Hughes 58, Leon Best 60, Elliott Ward 90

Attendance: 22014
Referee: Mr C Penton

Teamtalk
Two teams staring uncomfortably over their shoulders at the drop zone played out a nervous encounter in freezing conditions at St Mary's.

With City having lost their last eight games on the road and Saints on the back of a 5-0 drubbing at Hull, it was no surprise both sides were lacking in confidence.

Stern John, against his old club, and Vincent Pericard wasted rare chances for Southampton - while Michael Mifsud and ex-Saint Leon Best barely got a sniff at the other end.

After a wretched first half, the game improved - with goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Richard Wright making decent saves.

Wright, who joined Saints on loan from West Ham this week, made a jittery start with an unconvincing punch from Isaac Osbourne's cross - which was held up in the swirling wind.

Jason Euell spurned the hosts' first chance when Gregory Vignal's cross ricocheted into his path, the midfielder shooting wide from the edge of the City area.

John then attempted to get on the end of Jhon Viafara's chip into the box, but merely got clattered by Schmeichel for his troubles.

Pericard, making his home debut for Saints following his loan switch from Stoke, squandered Saints' best chance of the first half in the 26th minute when put through by Mario Licka only to blaze his shot over the bar.

Schmeichel was finally forced into a save in first-half stoppage time when John guided the ball goalwards from Viafara's cross.

The on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper was called into action shortly after the break, making a sharp stop low to his left from Licka's shot on the turn.

City finally mustered an effort on goal in the 54th minute, Mifsud jinking along the edge of the area and rifling a low shot which Wright dealt with at his near post.

Schmeichel was back in action five minutes later, keeping out John's far-post header with a star-jump save reminiscent of his father Peter.

Coventry left-back Dan Fox, this week called up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s squad, put a free-kick wide - before Wright showed the class which won him two international caps earlier in his career.

Dozy defending from Vignal and Darren Powell let in Osbourne, but the full-back's shot was acrobatically turned away by Wright.

Bradley Wright-Phillips came on as a substitute and found the net - but he was clearly offside.

The striker then hit Euell's cross straight at Schmeichel from point-blank range.

At the other end, Best missed his kick in front of goal - and Wright did well to keep out Julian Gray's follow-up.

CCFC
City held Southampton to a goalless draw in a nervy affair which could have gone either way but for excellent performances by both goalkeepers.

The Sky Blues lined-up unchanged for the match against Southampton at a bitterly cold St Mary's Stadium and with the two teams scrapping for survival the opening exchanges were somewhat scrappy with some fierce challenges going in from both sets of players.

Saints' Jason Euell got the first shot of the game in the 10th minute but thankfully his 20 yard drive was pulled well wide.

It wasn't long until the fierce wind brought squally snow showers, which made the conditions even harder to play in.

In the 18th minute the referee waved away Southampton claims for a penalty when Stern John was brought to the floor under a challenge from Kasper Schmeichel and a minute later the City shot stopper did well to race off his line and clear danger as Vincent Pericard was played through on goal.

The former Stoke man then wasted a better opportunity in the 27th minute, blazing high and wide when he should have at least tested Schmeichel.

Southampton were doing the most pressing without really testing the City goal and the Sky Blues had to wait until the 38th minute for their first shot on target when Michael Doyle attempted and audacious 35-yard volley which rolled harmlessly into Richard Wright's arms.

Right at the death before half time, John went close for the Saints but Schmeichel saved well.

The on loan custodian made an even better stop just after the restart, blocking Mario Licka's well struck shot at full stretch.

But having switched to a more conventional 4-4-2 formation, the Sky Blues were showing more as an attacking side and Mifsud was seeing more of the ball - the Maltese international forcing a save from Wright with City's best attempt so far in the 56th minute.

Chris Coleman made his first switch in the 65th minute, introducing Julian Gray for Kev Thornton and it was the winger who went closest to scoring when he produced a fine one handed save from Wright after bursting into the area and curling a shot on the outside of his right foot.

Entering the final ten minutes the game was finely poised and could have gone either way and in the 82nd minute, City were grateful to Schmiechel once again when he produced a top notch point blank save from John.

Next up it was Wright's turn to save his side, producing an excellent tip over to deny Gray once more in what was the final opportunity of tense 90 minutes which did little for either side's hopes of clawing their way out of trouble.

4thegame
Championship heavyweights Southampton and Coventry City remain precariously perched above the relegation zone as both sides fought out a tense goalless draw.

At a wet and blustery St Mary's it was difficult to establish what was worse, the South Coast weather or the football on display.

Goalkeepers Richard Wright and Kasper Schmeichel were scarcely tested as both teams gave a clear indication as to why they find themselves toiling in the nether regions of the Championship table.

It was the home side that started the more positive as they were searching for a much-needed confidence-booster following their five-goal drubbing at Hull City last weekend.

Gregory Vignal 's cross on five minutes looked destined for on-loan Stoke striker Vincent Pericard but Coventry defender Elliott Ward reacted quickly enough to hack the ball clear.

Another Vignal cross then caused problems as it was fizzed in by the French full-back before a deflection found its way to Jason Euell, waiting patiently on the edge of the penalty area, who fired wide.

Euell sent Pericard clear ten minutes later but the former Portsmouth frontman looked chronically short of pace and Schmeichel won the race to clear his lines.

As the Southampton crowd sensed a goal, the atmosphere improved and so did their football for a brief period as some well-worked passing moves presented late chances for Pericard again and striker partner Stern John but neither player managed to trouble Schmeichel.

After a first 45 minutes largely spent keeping warm, Wright was finally called into action early in the second half when he dived low to his right to keep out Michael Mifsud's low drive from 20 yards.

John would have felt he should have done better just before the hour mark as he rose at the far post to connect with Jhon Viafara's deep cross but his header was directed straight into the turf which took the sting out of it.

In the space of six frantic minutes both sides then missed their best chances of the game as first Coventry full-back Isaac Osbourne capitalised on some indecisive defending from Youssef Safri to set up a shooting opportunity but Wright was equal to his toe-poked effort.

Saints substitute Bradley Wright-Phillips, introduced to a mixed reaction from the home faithful, then got on the end of Euell's clipped cross from the by-line but the striker's half-volley from five yards was straight at Schmeichel.

Julian Gray kept Wright busy until the final whistle with a point-blank strike which was tipped over but in fairness the result accurately reflected two teams desperately in need of points but woefully short on quality.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Coventry 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 15/03/2008

Coventry 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 15/03/2008

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Scott Dann, Elliott Ward, Isaac Osbourne, Daniel Fox, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle (Robbie Simpson 61), Stephen Hughes, Michael Mifsud, Kevin Thornton, Leon Best
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall, Julian Gray, Wayne Andrews
Booked: Elliott Ward 5

Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Tommy Spur, Richard Wood, Richard Hinds, Mark Beevers, Frank Songo'o (Burton O'Brien 65), Sean McAllister, Graham Kavanagh, Wade Small, Marcus Tudgay (Enoch Showunmi 77), Deon Burton (Adam Bolder 83)
Subs not used: Robert Burch, Peter Gilbert
Booked: Frank Songo'o 19, Tommy Spur 29, Lee Grant 28

Attendance: 19283
Referee: J Singh

Teamtalk
Lee Grant produced two superb saves in the final 15 minutes as Sheffield Wednesday hung on for a 0-0 draw with Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Twice Grant kept out efforts from forward Michael Mifsud in the final quarter, after on-loan City stopper Kasper Schmeichel had kept his side in it in the first half with a stunning stop to deny Wednesday's Franck Songo'o.

Both teams had gone into the game in desperate trouble at the foot of the division, with the Owls just one point and one place out of the drop zone and the Sky Blues a point ahead of them.

And it was the home side who pressed first, inside the opening minute, Grant having to act smartly to punch clear a cross from Isaac Osbourne.

Coventry's Elliott Ward was booked early on for a foul on Richard Hinds, before Jay Tabb forced another stop from Grant with a shot from 12 yards.

At the other end, Schmeichel was brought into the action for the first time, coming to deal with a probing cross from Songo'o.

Wednesday's Graham Kavanagh was then handed an opportunity from a 30-yard free-kick after a foul by Scott Dann on Marcus Tudgay, but the midfielder's shot flew high over the crossbar.

Songo'o then followed Ward into the book for a foul on Stephen Hughes, before Kavanagh forced Schmeichel to punch clear his clever cross midway through the half.

Songo'o was perhaps lucky to stay on the field after a bad foul on Daniel Fox, with Grant and Tommy Spurr then making it three Owls cautioned inside the opening half an hour.

A weak effort from Tudgay was never going to seriously threaten to break the deadlock before Songo'o very nearly found the opening two minutes before the interval, only for Schmeichel to come to his side's rescue.

Grant made comfortable saves from Dann and Daniel Fox in the first 15 minutes of the second period, before the Sky Blues were forced into a change when the injured Michael Doyle had to be replaced by Robbie Simpson.

The Owls made a change of their own moments later when Burton O'Brien took over from Songo'o in a tactical switch.

But it was Coventry who came within a whisker of taking the lead when Mifsud fired in from 12 yards which forced a fantastic save out of Grant at the expense of a corner, which was cleared by Deon Burton.

Mifsud then had another couple of shots around the 80-minute mark which were both blocked by Mark Beevers, before the Malta international struck what looked to be a winner from 20 yards with six minutes left only for Grant to tip it round the post.

CCFC
The Sky Blues are held to a goalless draw by Sheffield Wednesday in a tie where, once again, they had more than enough chances to win.

The game started at a breakneck pace, with City pressing from the off and Wednesday keeper Lee Grant got a strong fist to a deep Isaac Osbourne cross as Leon Best looked to head City into the lead.

In the twelfth minute minute Grant produced a one-handed block from Jay Tabb as City broke with a three on one advantage but failed to make the most of the situation.

New loan signing Kasper Schmeichel had been a mere spectator in the City goal until the 24th minute when he punched a Graham Kavanagh cross to safety.

The remainder of the first half saw very little goalmouth action although the visitors did collect two quickfire bookings as City enjoyed a spell of pressure. In the 43rd minute Schmeichel demonstrated his agility when he did well to get down to a low driven cross to prevent any danger.

The second period began in a tentative fashion with both sides looking afraid of losing such a crunch fixture.

But in the 56th minute a rapid break involving Tabb and Mifsud resulted in the Maltese striker winning the ball off a Wednesday defender and when he could have squared for Doyle for a tap-in, he opted to shot from the tightest of angles but only found the side netting.

Mifsud then produced an inch perfect cross which found the Irishman but his header was blocked. It appeared that Doyle had been injured in the process but he returned to the action, adamant that he was fit to continue.

However, just after the hour, he was replaced by Robbie Simpson, the coaching staff deciding that they could not take any chances with a head injury.

City were beginning to press again and on 69, Thornton missed a golden opportunity to give the Sky Blues the lead when some neat interplay resulted in Tabb threading the midfield livewire through on goal but unfortunately he pulled his left footed shot wide of the target.

Scott Dann then produced a sublime 60-yard throughball into Mifsud's path. His first touch was exemplary but Grant produced an excellent one-handed save at full stretch to tip the ball wide.

It just wasn't Mifsud's day and when enterprising forward play from Osbourne found the Maltese rocket, his powerful shot was deflected inches wide.

Wednesday appeared more than happy with the point and in the dying stages made some changes to try and secure a share of the spoils but City continued to press and Grant made yet another save from a Mifsud shot, this time blocking a well struck 25-yarder to ensure the scoreline remained goalless.

At the final whistle, there was disappointment that the Sky Blues had failed to break the deadlock but once again there was no doubt that every player had given it their absolute all. Schmeichel did not have a single save to make all game but City must start to find the back of the net if they are to escape the relegation dogfight.

4thegame
The points were shared by relegation-threatened Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday in a tense affair at the Ricoh Arena.

Wednesday only had two shots, which were off-target, in the 90 minutes as Michael Mifsud was denied on a couple of occasions in the second half.

Coventry did manage a shot on goal when Kevin Thornton's header released Leon Best and his right-wing cross dropped to Jay Tabb. He controlled the ball before firing in a close-range shot which Lee Grant smothered.

Referee Jarnail Singh was the busiest man in the first half as he booked Elliott Ward for an early challenge on Richard Hinds, before then showing yellow cards to Franck Songo'o, Grant and Tommy Spurr in a ten-minute spell as the game threatened to spill over.

Wednesday didn't force their first corner until the 39th minute which Graham Kavanagh took and when the ball eventually came back into the box, Richard Wood failed to properly connect and Kasper Schmeichel was able to grab possession.

Coventry finally began to put the Owls' defence under some concerted pressure.

Mifsud exchanged passes with Tabb, but instead of electing to pass to Michael Doyle on the edge of the six-yard box, the Malta international elected to shoot and hit the sidenetting.

In the next attack, Mifsud teed up Doyle with a right-wing centre, but the Irishman's header hit right-back Hinds and flew over the bar.

Doyle was substituted after appearing to take a knock to the head in the challenge.

The Sky Blues should have broken the deadlock in the 68th minute when Tabb's great pass picked out the run of Thornton, but the midfielder fired his shot wide of the far post.

Danny Fox's fantastic 40-yard pass sent Mifsud clear and his shot was tipped wide by Grant.

Mifsud had another chance when Isaac Osbourne knocked the ball back to him and he unleashed an 18-yard shot which was deflected wide.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Sheffield United 2 Coventry 1 - 11/03/2008

Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Gary Naysmith, Derek Geary, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Speed, David Carney (Keith Gillespie 64), Michael Tonge, David Cotterill (Ugo Ehiogu 90), James Beattie (Rob Hulse 57), Billy Sharp
Subs not used: Jon Stead, Ian Bennett
Booked: Rob Hulse 73, Billy Sharp 70, Chris Morgan 80
Goals: Billy Sharp 69, Gary Speed 78

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, Kevin Thornton, Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud, Leon Best
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Danny Ireland, Robbie Simpson, Wayne Andrews, Julian Gray
Booked: Stephen Hughes 76, Jay Tabb 75, Daniel Fox 77, Isaac Osbourne 88, Elliott Ward 63
Goals: Elliott Ward 81(pen)

Attendance: 23864
Referee: T Kettle

Teamtalk
Sheffield United managed a narrow 2-1 victory over a Coventry side now without a win in their last eight games away from the Ricoh Arena.

Billy Sharp headed the hosts into the lead before Gary Speed made it 2-0 when he followed up his penalty. Elliott Ward pulled one back from the spot for the visitors but the Blades managed to hang on for a vital three points.

After standing for a minute's silence in remembrance of former chairman Derek Dooley, it was Coventry who started the brighter.

The visitors went close early on with Scott Dann forcing a smart stop from home goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Kenny could only parry the ball and when the clearance found its way back to the feet of Dann, Kenny once again denied the Sky Blues defender.

Coventry's Michael Mifsud, who has 16 goals to his name in all competitions this season, fired a speculative effort goalbound in the ninth minute but Kenny saved well.

Leon Best blazed harmlessly over Kenny's crossbar before David Carney pulled a left-footed shot wide of the right-hand upright for the Blades as both sides continued to look for an opener.

The hosts did manage to put the ball in the net in the 18th minute but Sharp was ruled to have been offside after Carney's drive took a wicked deflection off the Blades frontman and ended up in the net.

Perhaps the best chance of the half fell to Best but his curled effort from inside the box drifted over Kenny's crossbar.

Daniel Fox had a late chance for the away side and Carney tested Sky Blues stopper Andy Marshall from distance just before the break but neither side managed to break the deadlock.

Coventry's Jay Tabb, the match winner against Norwich at the weekend, had an effort blocked by Derek Geary and Kevin Thornton had a shot saved by Kenny as the Sky Blues went on the offensive.

Blades striker James Beattie, who has scored 15 league goals this season, was replaced by Rob Hulse in the 57th minute and Carney by Keith Gillespie in the 64th minute as boss Kevin Blackwell attempted to freshen things up.

And his decision paid off when Sharp headed a David Cotterill cross past Marshall from close range to put the home side 1-0 up in the 69th minute and to claim his first league goal for the Blades.

The hosts doubled their lead 12 minutes from time when Stephen Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Sharp in the box. After initially putting the ball down Sharp eventually handed the task of taking the resulting penalty to Speed. Speed's penalty was saved by Marshall but the veteran midfielder wrapped up the three points for United on the rebound.

Coventry pulled one back from the spot in the 81st minute after Morgan fouled Mifsud but it proved too little too late for Chris Coleman's struggling side.

CCFC
It was an action-packed second half at Bramall Lane but there was no good news for Coventry City as they lost 2-1 to Sheffield United.

A goal from Billy Sharp and Gary Speed's penalty had seen the home side go 2-0 up after the break, although an Elliott Ward goal, also from the penalty spot, had given the Sky Blues a glimmer of hope.

The result marked Coventry City's eighth successive defeat in the league away from home.

Chris Coleman named an unchanged 16 for the trip to face the Blades.

The team and subs were both the same for the clash against Kevin Blackwell's men, as the Sky Blues attempted to win on the road in the Championship for the first time in eight games.

The Sky Blues had a glorious opportunity to take the lead in just the fourth minute when Scott Dann saw his shot blocked by the keeper and then cleared off the line before from the ensuing scramble, City claimed for a penalty when Best appeared to be bundled over in the box.

The decision wasn't given and the action switched right to the other end, where Beattie beat the advancing Andy Marshall to the ball on the edge of the area and Fox was forced to hack the danger away as it bounced towards goal.

The home team had the ball in the back of the net on 19 minutes when Sharp turned in David Carney's cross but the flag was up and the goal wouldn't stand.

Leon Best turned well in the box before curling one around the post with half an hour gone, before Danny Fox also tried his luck from distance as the rain poured down at Bramall Lane.

The Sky Blues created another opportunity just before the break when Thornton's strike towards goal was deflected wide from a corner, but Dann's chance from the follow-up was pushed around the post by Kenny to leave it goalless at the interval.

Both sides emerged for the second half looking sharp but it was Coventry who had the first opportunity with 49 on the clock when Mifsud shot into the side netting.

The Blades made a change when Rob Hulse replaced James Beattie with 57 gone, before Ward went into the book for impeding Kenny four minutes later.

Disaster struck for the Sky Blues on 69 minutes when Sheffield United took the lead. David Cotterill's cross from the right found Sharp on the edge of the six yard box and the striker made no mistake as he rose above the City defence to head home past Marshall.

It went from bad to worse for Coventry City in the 75th minutes when United were awarded a penalty after the referee adjudged that Hughes had pushed Sharp. From the resulting spot kick, Gary Speed saw his penalty saved by Marshall but he had no problem tucking away the rebound to make it 2-0.

After Sharp had fired wide in a glorious opportunity for the home side, Coventry had the chance to make it 2-1 on 80 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for Morgan's foul on Mifsud. Ward took the penalty and made no mistake with his delivery to pull one back for Coleman's men.

But it was to stay 2-1, with the Sky Blues now desperate to put an end to their away day blues.

4thegame
Billy Sharp grabbed his first league goal for Sheffield United since his £1.8million summer move from Scunthorpe to plunge Chris Coleman's side further into relegation trouble.

United keeper Paddy Kenny had kept Coventry at bay with a string of saves, before Sharp finally got off the mark in the 69th minute and the fast-moving game ended in a goal flurry as United increased their lead from the penalty spot, before City grabbed a lifeline nine minutes from time.

United escaped in the fifth minute when Scott Dann connected with Kevin Thornton's free-kick, Kenny palmed his angled strike away. The big centre-back had a second attempt, but this time was foiled by Gary Speed as he cleared off the line.

The Sheffield side squandered a chance when James Beattie beat Andy Marshall to the ball, but the striker turned away as it rolled towards the line and Danny Fox raced in to clear.

Coventry went close again, Michael Mifsud producing a stunning volley which almost found the target as it took a cruel deflection off team-mate Elliott Ward, with United keeper Kenny smothering the ball on the line.

City's lone striker Leon Best was stopped by Kenny who dived bravely at his feet and when Mifsud's low strike was deflected by Matthew Kilgallon, the United keeper conjured up another sparkling save to keep the Midlands side at bay.

United went ahead against the run of play, Sharp heading in a David Cotterill cross.

The Sheffield side's second goal came in the 78th minute after Stephen Hughes elbowed Sharp in the area and Speed scored at the second attempt after Marshall blocked his spot-kick.

Ward gave Coventry hope in the 81st minute, smashing his penalty kick into the roof of the net after Chris Morgan had hauled back Mifsud in the box.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Coventry 1 Norwich 0 - 08/03/2008

Coventry 1 Norwich 0 - 08/03/2008

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Jay Tabb, Kevin Thornton, Isaac Osbourne, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 87)
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Danny Ireland, Julian Gray, Wayne Andrews
Booked: Scott Dann 72, Daniel Fox 47
Goals: Jay Tabb 6

Norwich City: David Marshall, Ryan Bertrand, Juan Velasco (Alex Pearce 21), Gary Doherty, Jason Shackell, Mo Camara (Jamie Cureton 27), Mark Fotheringham, Darel Russell, Matty Pattison, Lee Croft (Ched Evans 61), Dion Dublin
Subs not used: Kieran Gibbs, Matthew Gilks
Booked: Ryan Bertrand 50, Mark Fotheringham 60, Gary Doherty 45, Darel Russell 57
Sent off: Gary Doherty 53, Darel Russell 85

Attendance: 18108
Referee: P Taylor

Teamtalk
Jay Tabb's early goal proved enough for Coventry to win 1-0 at home to nine-man Norwich, moving the Sky Blues up to 18th in the Championship.

Tabb struck in the sixth minute to give the shot-shy Sky Blues all three points against the Canaries, who had Gary Doherty and Darel Russell sent off for two bookable offences.

Coventry, who had scored only three times in their last six league outings, dominated from the start - and Daniel Fox forced a clearance from Mo Camara in the opening minute.

While Coleman stuck with his strike force of Michael Mifsud and Leon Best, it was Tabb who gave the Sky Blues an early lead after latching on to Michael Doyle's cross.

After that, it was one-way traffic as the home side continued to pepper the Norwich goal.

Best and Fox forced saves from Canaries goalkeeper David Marshall, while Kevin Thornton had two chances to increase the Sky Blues' lead.

His first chance to hit the post, and his second effort was blocked by Jason Shackell.

Frustrated by his side's lack of chances, Norwich manager Glenn Roeder made an early change.

After starting with Dion Dublin as a lone striker, Roeder switched back to a 4-4-2 formation - with forward Jamie Cureton replacing defender Camara.

The home side continued to make chances through Best and Fox. But Norwich were starting to find their feet, and Matthew Pattison saw one shot blocked by Isaac Osbourne - while another of his efforts forced a fine save from Andy Marshall.

Norwich looked as if they could pull themselves back into the game minutes after the break when Cureton forced a save from Marshall.

But things went from bad to worse for Norwich after 52 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men - Doherty dismissed for a second bookable offence after fouling Tabb.

Determined to get something from the game, Roeder threw on striker Ched Evans for Lee Croft.

The gamble did not pay off, though, and Coventry continued to push forward and dominate the game - with Doyle, Tabb, Mifsud and Thornton all going close.

With 20 minutes left, Norwich started to pick up their game.

Russell, who returned to the starting line-up after a three-match suspension, saw his shot blocked by Osbourne - and Cureton chanced his luck a couple of times all to no avail.

Any hopes of Norwich taking anything from the game were dashed six minutes from time, however, when they were reduced to nine men - Russell sent off for a second bookable offence on Tabb.

Mifsud almost added a second goal deep into injury time - but Alex Pearce came to the Canaries' rescue.

CCFC
The Sky Blues beat Norwich by a Jay Tabb goal to nil although the scoreline gives no indication of City's total domination of a tie which saw Norwich finish with nine men on the pitch.

Chris Coleman stuck with the same starting line-up that drew 0-0 against QPR in midweek and as in that game the Sky Blues got off to a flyer, the only difference being that they took the lead with a beautifully worked goal in the sixth minute.

Michael Doyle received the ball in the centre of the pitch and drilled a delightful 40-yard cross field ball into Tabb's path. The midfielder cut inside the full-back and fired a crisp low shot past Canaries keeper David Marshall.

The visitors were indebted to him moments later when the Sky Blues broke at pace again and he produced a top notch save from Leon Best to stop City racing into a two-goal lead.

Best then wasted a glorious opportunity laid on by Tabb before the irrepressible Kevin Thornton clipped the outside of a post with a beautifully executed curler from the edge of the box.

City's electric start forced Norwich manager Glenn Roeder into two substitutions before the half hour mark, one of which saw the Canaries' top scorer Jamie Cureton enter the fray in place of defender Mo Camara.

While the action slowed up somewhat after a frenetic opening, City still maintained control of the game with Andy Marshall completely redundant in the Sky Blues goal for the vast majority of the opening period.

Norwich had to improve after the break and City's Marshall produced his first genuine save of the match from a powerful Cureton shot after the Canaries were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.

The City shot stopper did well to get down to it and even better to hold on to the ball. City then broke upfield and nearly doubled their advantage when Thornton went clean through but poked the ball just wide of the upright.

Norwich's task of getting back into the match was made even harder eight minutes after the restart when Gary Doherty was sent-off for his second bookable offence after he crudely up-ended the superb Jay Tabb.

Coventry were hungry for a second goal and Stephen Hughes went close to making it 2-0 with a 25-yard thunderbolt which unfortunately soared over the crossbar. The City skipper was then denied thanks to a superb point-blank range block from Mark Fotheringham.

City were bombarding the Norwich goal and Elliott Ward was denied by a brilliant Marshall save. The centre-back drifted off the far post and caught Fox's floated free kick on the turn only for Marshall to react and tip the effort wide.

Marshall was solely responded for keeping the visitors in the tie and he produced another top notch save from Hughes, who stung his palms with another fearsome 25-yarder. A couple of minutes later he produced an event better save from Michael Mifsud who raced through on goal but saw his powerful shot repelled by the in-form custodian.

How City weren't more than one goal ahead was anybody's guess, although the intense pressure they were placing Norwich under was taking its toll and the visitors were reduced to nine men with five minutes to go when Darel Russell received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

There were more chances for the Sky Blues to extend their lead and Andy Marshall produced one great save from Cureton to ensure City took the three points they thoroughly deserved.

4thegame
Coventry City secured a vital win in their battle for survival as Norwich City ended the day with just nine men on the field.

Manager Chris Coleman had called for a reaction from his players after a disappointing start to his reign - and they answered the call.

It was a much brighter start from Coventry, who were fielding the same starting line-up that had won a point at home against Queen's Park Rangers in midweek.

And Coleman's faith was rewarded inside just six minutes when Jay Tabb notched his fifth of the season to put them in front.

Michael Doyle did well to see the little winger in space down the left and found him with a well-flighted pass.

Tabb cut inside Juan Valesco and directed a low right-foot effort past David Marshall.

Norwich were struggling to get a foothold in the game and they could easily have conceded another.

Leon Best had one effort blocked and then saw a follow up shot saved by Marshall.

Then in the 11th minute, Doyle won possession outside the Norwich area and Kevin Thornton curled a shot just wide of goal.

Canaries boss Glenn Roeder responded by making two very early substitutions, taking off full-backs Mo Camara and Valesco which allowed Norwich to play two up front.

It did make a difference but not where it really mattered in the final third.

Skipper Mark Fotheringham sent a free-kick across the faced of the home goal just after half-time, while sub Jamie Cureton forced a save out of Andy Marshall.

The visitors' chances were not helped in the 53rd minute when veteran Gary Doherty was given a second yellow card for a clear foul on Tabb.

For a while the game threatened to boil over and certainly Darel Russell was treading a very fine line.

Elliott Ward could have stretched the lead and calmed the Coventry nerves when he managed to get on the end of a free-kick but hit his volley over the bar.

Norwich kept plugging away even after Russel finally managed to get his second yellow card of the game again for fouling Tabb.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Coventry 0 QPR 0 - 05/03/2008

Coventry 0 QPR 0 - 05/03/2008

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Isaac Osbourne, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb (Julian Gray 75), Michael Mifsud, Michael Doyle, Kevin Thornton, Leon Best
Subs not used: Robbie Simpson, Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Marcus Hall, Wayne Andrews
Booked: Leon Best 62

Queens Park Rangers: Lee Camp, Michael Mancienne, Matthew Connolly, Fitz Hall, Damien Delaney, Akos Buzsaky, Hogan Ephraim, Mikele Leigertwood, Martin Rowlands (Gareth Ainsworth 90), Patrick Agyemang (Dexter Blackstock 85), Rowan Vine
Subs not used: Damion Stewart, Chris Barker, Matt Pickens
Booked: Akos Buzsaky 70, Matthew Connolly 54

Attendance: 15225
Referee: M Dean


Teamtalk
Coventry missed the chance to move further clear of the Championship relegation zone as QPR dug in for a goalless draw at the Ricoh Arena.

City striker Leon Best had the best chance of the game when he raced clean through in the 33rd minute but Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp blocked the shot.

Chris Coleman's side dominated for long spells but as the game progressed they ran out of ideas against a dogged yet disappointing Hoops team.

Victory for the home side would have moved them six points clear of the drop zone into 17th but instead they remain 21st - just four points clear of trouble.

There was a return for Sky Blues skipper Stephen Hughes along with Michael Doyle and Elliott Ward, while QPR boss Luigi De Canio named an unchanged line-up.

City began purposefully and looked the more likely to open the scoring.

They had the ball in the back of the net within the first three minutes but the effort was disallowed for offside, while Ward spurned an excellent opportunity when Best drilled the ball across the face of goal.

It was a far cry from their recent laboured away performances as the home side moved the ball around with speed and style, in fact the Sky Blues were at times culpable of being overly elaborate.

Michael Mifsud was sent clear down the right channel but he selfishly elected to shoot and only found the side-netting.

Then Camp was forced to furiously backpedal when Jay Tabb's cross took a deflection and threatened to loop into the far corner, but much to his relief it landed on the roof of the net.

Rangers may have improved dramatically under De Canio but they remain inconsistent and this was a long way short of the performance which saw them tear Stoke apart in the opening half hour of Sunday's 3-0 win.

Best and Mifsud were linking up well and the pair combined to excellent effect when Mifsud was sent clear down the right but his first touch was a poor one and Camp collected easily.

Moments later they had an even better chance when Best raced through but the City striker lacked conviction and Camp saved well.

One last-ditch block from Matthew Connolly denied Best soon afterwards and then Camp was quickly down to push away Tabb's goalbound shot as City failed to get the goal their efforts deserved.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and a dipping drive from Akos Buzsaky after 52 minutes was the closest they came to scoring.

Coventry quickly reclaimed the initiative but a combination of resolute Rangers defending and disappointing deliveries meant they failed to create any real clear-cut chances.

Tabb was replaced by Julian Gray with 15 minutes remaining as Coleman stepped up his search for a winner.

The change almost had the desired impact when Gray combined impressively with Kevin Thornton down the left channel but the former Birmingham winger's cross failed to live up to his earlier interplay.

Dexter Blackstock came on for the anonymous Patrick Agyemang and Rangers could have even stole with two minutes left when Mikele Leigertwood fired narrowly over.

Best had a chance to atone for his earlier miss with an overhead kick with seconds remaining but it was not to be and the home side were greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers at the final whistle.

CCFC
City are held to a goalless draw by Queens Park Rangers, despite dominating possession and creating the better chances throughout a frustrating 90 minutes.

Chris Coleman made three changes to the side which lost 2-1 against Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Elliott Ward replaced Marcus Hall at centre-back, while Stephen Hughes came in for Michael Hughes in the centre of the park. Hughes is also named as skipper ahead of Michael Doyle, who started in place of Julian Gray.

Coventry thought they'd made the best possible start in the fourth minute when Scott Dann found the back of the net from a Doyle ball, only for the goal to be disallowed.

The Sky Blues attacked again and in the ninth minute, Coleman's men created a great opportunity to open the scoring.

Thornton found Best on the right hand side of the pitch and the striker played an inch-perfect ball back across the box for Ward, who lifted his shot over the crossbar.

City were certainly dominant in the opening stages and Best shot onto the roof of the net in the 20th minute after De Canio's side had failed to clear their lines.

City's young back line - with an average age of around 22 - were coping well with the threat of the Rangers attackers while at the other end, there were shouts of hand ball when Damien Delaney appeared to handle in the box under more Coventry pressure.

Moments later, Camp saved well at the feet of Mifsud, before the former England Under 21 keeper was again called into action, this time when he saved at the feet of Best when he was clean through one on one.

There was no doubt that Coventry were dominating proceedings in a first half where Andy Marshall didn't have a save to make.

Best shot again but it was a tame shot for Camp to hold, before with five minutes before the break, Doyle unleashed a firm effort from the edge of the box which again couldn't get past the shot-stopper.

Tabb was the next player to test Camp - but the former Derby County keeper was in excellent form and kept out his firm shot.

Having dominated but failed to break the deadlock in the opening 45, City came out looking to press play at the start of the second period but saw QPR playmaker Akos Buzsaky send a dipping volley just over the bar on 52 minutes.

The Sky Blues had a good spell of pressure around the hour mark and when Mifsud broke free down the right, he centred for Best who could not reach the cross with his head and was booked for deliberate handball.

Thornton was being his usual creative self in midfield and played substitute Julian Gray away with a beautifully weighted pass as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but the winger's cross failed to pick out a City man.

The former Birmingham man did better with his next delivery but on this occasion there was no City forward attacking his fierce ball across the face of goal.

There were many positives to the Coventry performance, such as a near-immaculate defensive display but the Sky Blues certainly had enough of the ball and good enough chances - in the first half especially - to leave a nagging feeling that this was two points dropped rather than a point gained.

4thegame
Coventry City missed out on the chance to pick up a crucial win in their battle to beat the drop as they wasted a series of opportunities and had to settle for a goalless draw.

QPR were far from their best but, despite a number of clear-cut openings, the Sky Blues failed to take advantage and remain perilously close to the Championship drop-zone.

The first half was all Coventry and the only thing missing from the home team was a goal.

Manager Chris Coleman recalled Michael Doyle and Stephen Hughes with both midfielders contributing to City's dominance.

Elliott Ward should have opened the scoring after eight minutes but lashed his shot over the bar from six yards following a good move involving Kevin Thornton and Leon Best.

Striker Michael Mifsud also failed to make the most of two one-on-ones with Lee Camp while the Rangers keeper made a series of important saves to maintain parity.

He kept out a long-range effort from Doyle but his best save of the first half came just three minutes before the break.

Jay Tabb produced a deft first touch to bring down Isaac Osbourne's fine long pass but his low shot was superbly blocked by the QPR keeper.

The visitors had produced nothing in attack and, considering their 3-0 drubbing of Stoke City on Sunday, showed a real lack of ambition.

Their first effort of any note came in the 51st minute but it was a speculative strike from Akos Buzsaky that cleared the Coventry crossbar.

Damien Delaney also tried his luck from distance but his shot flashed wide of Coventry keeper Andy Marshall's post.

Despite that, the Sky Blues remained on top although their efforts on goal were fewer after the break with Danny Fox and Doyle forcing saves from Camp with long-range shots.

QPR's performance was summed up by the fact that their first shot on target was a scuffed strike from Buzsaky after 72 minutes which was comfortably held by Marshall.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Scunthorpe 2 Coventry 1 - 01/03/2008

Scunthorpe 2 Coventry 1 - 01/03/2008

Scunthorpe United: Joe Murphy, Jack Hobbs, Izzy Iriekpen, Andrew Crosby, Marcus Williams, Jack Cork, Ian Morris, Jim Goodwin, Grant McCann, Martin Paterson, Ben May
Subs not used: Josh Lillis, Kevan Hurst, Paul Hayes, Jonathan Forte, Andrew Wright
Goals: Paterson 15, Cork 66

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Marcus Hall, Michael Hughes (Wayne Andrews 71), Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, Kevin Thornton, Julian Gray, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 78), Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Elliott Ward, Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Christopher Birchall
Booked: Daniel Fox 23, Isaac Osbourne 61, Leon Best 58, Kevin Thornton 21
Goals: Thornton 21(pen)

Attendance: 5866
Referee: S Bratt

Teamtalk
Jack Cork struck a superb second-half winner to haul Scunthorpe off the foot of the Championship after a 2-1 home victory over Coventry.

The 18-year-old Chelsea midfielder, on a season-long loan from Stamford Bridge, netted his second career goal to hand his adopted team only their second win of 2008.

It also piled the pressure on fellow strugglers Coventry, who fell behind in the 15th minute when Martin Paterson cracked in his 14th goal of the season from long range.

The advantage lasted just six minutes, after Marcus Williams brought down Kevin Thornton in the box.

Scunthorpe handed striker Ben May his second start for the club in place of the veteran Geoff Horsfield.

He almost made an instant impact, but fired his left-footed shot over the bar after less than two minutes.

Martin Paterson could have put the Iron ahead after five minutes but his header from six yards was straight at Andy Marshall.

At the other end, Izzy Iriekpen - making his first start for five months - had to be alert to cut out a Michael Mifsud cross.

Scunthorpe deservedly went ahead in the 15th minute, Paterson's speculative shot finding the net from more than 25 yards.

Daniel Fox tried to curl in an equaliser from similar range but the defender was off target.

Williams then gifted Coventry a penalty in the 21st minute, bringing down Kevin Thornton, who picked himself up to score.

Scunthorpe tried to hit back but Ian Morris' header was an easy catch for Marshall.

The midfielder nearly made amends from a corner taken by Grant McCann - back from a three-match ban - Morris' strike was cleared by Jay Tabb.

Thornton then shot too close to Joe Murphy just past the half-hour mark.

Both sides failed to force another opening until May headed McCann's cross over a minute from the break.

Scott Dann, recalled in the Coventry defence at the expense of Elliott Ward, then nodded a Daniel Fox corner wide in stoppage-time.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes of the second half, the visitors suddenly created the best chance of the game, but Julian Gray failed to find the net from six yards.

Otherwise, it was becoming a niggly contest, Coventry's Leon Best and Isaac Osbourne picking up needless bookings to add to those of Thorton and Fox in the first half.

The game needed a moment of inspiration and it duly arrived in the 66th minute when Cork's superb strike flew into the net from the right edge of the penalty area.

The midfielder nearly had his second minutes later but he was off target from 12 yards, before Paterson shot too close to Marshall from similar range.

Coventry were showing little sign of levelling, Andy Crosby's header cleared by Marcus Hall.

Paterson could have killed them off with less than five minutes remaining but he fired over, while Coventry substitute Robbie Simpson also had a shot blocked late on.

CCFC

Coventry City slumped to their seventh successive away league defeat as they lost 2-1 to Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park

Martin Paterson opening the scoring for the home side before Kevin Thornton equalised with a penalty for the Sky Blues.

But it was Jack Cork who secured all three points for the Iron midway through the second half in a disappointing afternoon for City.

Chris Coleman made one change to the side which lost 2-0 to Burnley on Tuesday night.

Scott Dann replaced Elliott Ward in the centre of defence, with the latter having to be content with a place on the bench.

Scunthorpe started the game bottom of the table, seven points behind the Sky Blues, who were in 18th place.

The home side had the opening opportunity in just the second minute - Paterson getting the better of Marcus Hall and playing the ball short and square to Ben May, who could only lift it over the crossbar.

Adkins' men were certainly having the better of the very early play and with six minutes gone, Paterson headed into the arms of Marshall following good play by Ian Morris.

At the other end, Dann forced a clearance from a Fox corner, before disaster struck for the Sky Blues with 15 minutes gone.

Paterson found himself in space 25 yards out from goal and the former Stoke City striker made no mistake as he unleashed a curling shot past Marshall and into the back of the net to give Scunthorpe the lead and net his 14th of the season.

Fox tried to level the scores immediately with a 20-yard shot which flew just past the post before the visitors had a prime opportunity with 20 minutes gone.

Coleman's men were awarded a spot-kick when Thornton was fouled in the box and the Irishman made no mistake with the penalty as he struck it into the bottom right hand corner to make it 1-1.

As tempers rose at Glanford Park, Danny Fox went into the book for a foul on Cork, before Marshall saved well from May as the home side pushed on.

Tabb made a spectacular clearance off the line from Morris with almost half an hour gone before at the other end, Thornton shot into the arms of the keeper in a very open game.

The home side started the second half brightly, as with the first, and when Marshall's mis-kick eventually found its way to May, the goalkeeper has to be quick to make amends by saving at the feet of the striker.

Gray advanced well but fired across the goal with 55 on the clock, before Best went into the book for a foul on Hobbs.

And as tensions got the better of Coleman's men, things took a considerable turn for the worse in the 66th minute when Jack Cork scored with a cross-cum-shot from the edge of the box.

It marked the second goal of his career for Cork, son of former Coventry coach Alan, who incidentally scored the other goal of his career against the Sky Blues in the fixture at the Ricoh Arena this season.

Simpson replaced Best as Coleman went for fresh fire-power but time was running out for City as they desperately tried to salvage something from the game.

It ended 2-1 to Scunthorpe and the Sky Blues must perform better if they are going to move away from the bottom of the table.

4thegame
Coventry City slid deeper into relegation trouble after a seventh successive away defeat.

New manager Chris Coleman now knows the size of his task to try and keep the Sky Blues in the Championship.

Scunthorpe too boosted their hopes of survival at this level with only their third win in 23 games.

The home side started brightly and might have had the lead in the early minutes when striker Ben May missed a good chance.

It was leading marksman Martin Paterson who did open the scoring for Scunthorpe in the 15th minute when he curled an excellent 25-yard shot past goalkeeper Andy Marshall for his 14th goal of the season.

But Coventry were back on level terms six minutes later when midfielder Kevin Thornton levelled from the penalty spot after he himself had been brought down by full-back Marcus Williams.

It was only the second goal in seven away games for City, who are struggling to find a cutting edge up front.

They did go close early in the second half when striker Leon Best flashed a shot across the face of the goal and just wide of the far post.

They had an escape when midfielder Jay Tabb cleared off the line from Ian Morris before Scunthorpe snatched the winning goal.

It came in the 66th minute when Jack Cork - the England Under-19 player on-loan from Chelsea, squeezed a shot past goalkeeper Marshall from what seemed an impossible angle.

Cork could have added another in the closing stages but lifted his shot over the bar to leave Scunthorpe facing an anxious finish.