Coventry 1 Wolves 1 - 26/04/2008

Coventry 1 Wolves 1 - 26/04/2008

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle, Michael Hughes (Zavon Hines 90), Michael Mifsud, Leon Best
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Robbie Simpson, Marcus Hall, Julian Gray
Booked: Stephen Hughes 74, Scott Dann 52, Michael Doyle 61
Goals: Elliot Ward 18

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wayne Hennessey, Jody Craddock, George Elokobi, Kevin Foley, Gary Breen, Darron Gibson (Stephen Elliott 88), Seyi George Olofinjana, Michael Kightly (Michael Gray 78), Matthew Jarvis (Stephen Ward 89), Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Andy Keogh
Subs not used: Graham Stack, Neill Collins
Booked: Darron Gibson 9, Seyi George Olofinjana 16
Goals: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 53(pen)

Attendance: 27992
Referee: P Armstrong

Teamtalk
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's penalty ensured Wolves and Coventry's fates would be decided on the final day of the season as the two sides drew 1-1.

Elliott Ward rose highest to put the Sky Blues ahead after 18 minutes in their Championship clash at the Ricoh Arena but Ebanks-Blake netted his 25th goal of the season from the penalty spot.

It was a missed opportunity for Wolves, who could have climbed into the play-offs with a victory after Crystal Palace lost at Hull.

As for the Sky Blues, they will have to wait until next weekend to secure their status in the second tier.

They remain three points clear of the drop zone going into next Sunday's final game at Charlton.

Less than two minutes had passed when Ebanks-Blake fired narrowly past the post as Chris Coleman's side were almost caught cold.

City were slow to get going and had striker Leon Best to thank in the 14th minute when he blocked a volley from Gary Breen following Michael Kightly's corner.

Darron Gibson and Best had efforts blocked at either end before the home side grabbed the lead.

It was a goal any striker would have been proud of as Ward headed Michael Hughes' cross back across goal and into the bottom left corner.

Wolves, 3-0 winners over FA Cup finalists Cardiff in midweek, threatened when Matt Jarvis fired narrowly wide from 12 yards.

But it was City who were dominating the possession.

Gibson failed to test Coventry's on-loan goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a 25-yard drive.

Ward showed his worth in his own penalty area as he demonstrated perfect positioning to cut out Kightly's cross.

Jarvis proved a constant menace for the Sky Blues defence down the flank but Andy Keogh failed to convert his pinpoint cross, the Irishman's header bouncing down and over the crossbar.

However, Wolves levelled the scores eight minutes after the break and again they had Ebanks-Blake to thank.

Scott Dann brought down Kightly inside the area and former Plymouth forward Ebanks-Blake struck his penalty straight down the middle for his 10th goal in the last 12 games.

The visitors grew in confidence and it took a smart save from Schmeichel to tip Keogh's powerful shot over the bar.

Jody Craddock and Kightly both had opportunities as Mick McCarthy's side cranked up the pressure but the Sky Blues defence continued to stand firm.

They could even have taken the lead courtesy of Michael Doyle in the 72nd minute but the midfielder skewed his shot over the bar.

Wayne Hennessey twice came to Wolves' rescue to deny City's Maltese forward Michael Mifsud.

Substitute Michael Gray almost stole it for Wolves before Schmeichel parried brilliantly at the death to deny Ebanks-Blake a dramatic late winner.

CCFC
A glorious day at the Ricoh saw a near capacity crowd turn out for the final home game of the 2007/08 campaign between the Sky Blues and Wolves, both battling for points for differing reasons, and they were not let down by a cracking derby.

Elliott Ward's early goal was cancelled out by a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake penalty at the start of a topsy-turvy second period where both sides could have snatched victory.

The visitors required all three points to stay in touch with the play-off chase while a win for City would almost certainly secure their Championship status.

With an electric atmosphere spurring on both sides, the match started at a frenetic pace with some tasty challenges going in from both sets of players in true local derby style.

Two Wolves players were booked inside the opening 16 minutes - Gibson then Olofinjana - and it was from the latter's reckless challenge that City took the lead.

The Nigerian felled Elliott Ward around 40 yards from goal and from the resultant free-kick, Danny Fox floated in a delightful delivery and Ward ghosted into space to head the opener in the 18th minute.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of Wolves who had looked lively before going behind but they created a great opportunity to level the scores in the 37th minute, although Andy Keogh's downward header bounced over the crossbar. Gibson shot wide from distance as the first half drew to a close, leaving City just 45 minutes away from staying in the division.

But for the second home game in succession City conceded a needless penalty early in the second half when Scott Dann clattered Kightly on the right-hand edge of the penalty area to leave the referee in no doubt. Wolves top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake made no mistake, sending Schmeichel the wrong way to level things up on 53.

The goal boosted the visitors and it took a fantastic save from Schmeichel to keep the scoreline at 1-1, as he tipped a close range shot from Keogh onto the crossbar.

Mifsud had a glorious opportunity to regain the lead for City 20 minutes from time, but as he was played through on goal, Hennessey rushed off his line and blocked the Maltese international's shot.

Moments later it was Doyle's turn to waste a gilt-edged chance, volleying narrowly over after Tabb had put him into a one-on-one position with a cleverly played ball.

City were bossing it and Hennessey spilled a drilled cross from Best but fortunately for him, defenders were on hand to clear up. Mifsud produced a top notch save from the Welsh international as the Sky Blues threw everything they could at their opponents.

Wolves proved they were still a threat when Michael Gray forced Schmeichel into another good block with a fiercely struck effort from 25 yards with only four minutes left on the clock.

Despite a few nervy moments at both ends - particularly when Schmeichel denied Ebanks-Blake with a great low save - a draw was probably a fair result from a thrillinng game, especially in the second half.

4thegame
Wolves kept their Championship play-off hopes alive after rescuing a point at Coventry City.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's penalty in the 52nd minute gave the visitors the point they needed to stay in touch with sixth-placed Crystal Palace.

Wolves had trailed early on after Coventry defender Elliott Ward scored his fourth goal in three games after he headed in Dan Fox's free-kick after 16 minutes.

It was a game both sides desperately wanted to win, three points would have almost guaranteed Championship football for the struggling Sky Blues, while Wolves could have overtaken Palace.

Both sides were nervous in the early exchanges, with neither settling well.

The breakthrough came by chance, after Seyi Olofinjana brought down Ward 30 yards from goal. Fox's precise ball into the box was met well by Ward, whose glancing effort went past Wayne Hennessey into the bottom corner of the net.

The rest of the first half remained cagey, with Wolves creating the only real chance when Andy Keogh's header bounced down and over the bar.

The second period saw both sides step-up a gear, but it was the visiting side who were to take advantage.

Keogh's neat backpass sent Michael Kightly clear on the right of the box until he was needlessly brought down by defender Scott Dann.

The skilful Ebanks-Blake, who caused the Sky Blues' defence problems all afternoon, stepped up to send the penalty into the back of the net.

Ebanks-Blake could have snatched a win, but Kasper Schmeichel made a double save in the fifth minute of injury time.

Colchester 1 Coventry 5 - 19/04/2008

Colchester 1 Coventry 5 - 19/04/2008

Colchester United: Dean Gerken, Bela Balogh, John White (Kevin McLeod 71), Chris Coyne, Phil Ifil, Dean Hammond, Medi Ekofo Elito, Karl Duguid, Johnnie Jackson, Scott Vernon, Kevin Lisbie
Subs not used: Ademola Bankole, Kemal Izzet, Clive Platt, Adam Virgo
Booked: Chris Coyne 86
Goals: Scott Vernon 17

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Elliott Ward, Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Michael Hughes, Isaac Osbourne (Marcus Hall 90), Michael Doyle, Leon Best (Zavon Hines 87), Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Kevin Thornton, Julian Gray
Booked: Leon Best 65, Michael Doyle 81
Goals: Leon Best 49, Daniel Fox 51, Elliot Ward (pen) 78, (pen) 90, Michael Doyle 80

Attendance: 5836
Referee: C Webster

Teamtalk
Coventry hit back with five second-half goals to win 5-1 and ease their relegation fears against a Colchester side already down to League One.

Goals from Leon Best, Daniel Fox, Michael Doyle and two penalties from Elliott Ward were enough to give the Sky Blues all three points to stave off any worries of relegation for Chris Coleman's men.

Colchester's Scott Vernon fired home from six yards in the 16th minute from a Kevin Lisbie cross to give Colchester the lead.

But Coventry hit back with five second-half goals, started by Best's long-range effort two minutes after the break which beat keeper Dean Gerken.

Two minutes later Fox drilled a shot beyond the outreaching arms of the U's keeper. A Doyle effort and a Ward brace completed the rout.

The Us started the day having picked up just one win in their last 11 Championship games while Coventry had won just once in their last six matches.

The Sky Blues threatened inside the opening minute when Michael Mifsud's angled shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Colchester's first chance came in the 14th minute when Dean Hammond's curling corner dipped under the crossbar only for it to be cleared by Michael Hughes.

But the U's were ahead just two minutes later when Lisbie's pass found Vernon whose initial shot was saved by the left leg of Coventry goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but his follow-up was pummelled into the back of the Sky Blues' net.

The lively Fox continued to push for an equaliser for Coventry when his left-footed shot tested keeper Gerken only for his effort to be cleared by midfielder Karl Duguid.

The U's lead lasted just three minutes after the break when a fantastic solo effort from 25 yards out by Best beat Gerken.

Before Colchester had time to regroup, the impressive Fox curled an effort from just outside the area into the top left corner.

Coventry keeper Schmeichel was then forced into action when goalscorer Vernon steered his left-footed effort wide of the right post.

The Sky Blues took the lead in the 76th minute when Duguid fouled the lively Mifsud in the area and the resulting penalty was slotted home by Ward.

Just two minutes later Doyle's close-range tap-in from inside the box found the back of the net.

In the 90th minute Ward completed the rout from the penalty spot.

Chris Coyne fouled Zavon Hines in the area and Ward to coolly placed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner.

CCFC
An explosive second half saw the Sky Blues steal all three minutes with a 5-1 win over Colchester United.

Coventry had sat in the bottom three at half-time after trailing 1-0 to the Essex side, but goals from Best and Dann within six minutes of the restart put the Sky Blues ahead.

Eliott Ward scored a penalty after 78 minutes, Doyle scored two minutes later before Ward wrapped up the game at the death with his second penalty.

Chris Coleman made one change for the crucial clash against Geraint Williams' men..

Michael Hughes came into the side for Kevin Thornton, who was on the bench.

For the home side, former City defender Matt Heath was missing with a groin injury.

The Sky Blues had the opening opportunity when in the first minute, Best thread the ball through to Mifsud, who pulled his shot across the goal and wide of the far post.

Fox shot wide from a free kick and Michael Hughes shot at the keeper as Coleman's men threatened, before disaster struck for the Coventry in the 17th minute.

Chris Coyne played the ball through to Kevin Lisbie and although Schmeichel saved with his leg, the ball came out to Scott Vernon who tapped it home from six yards.

The goal incensed Coleman, who protested to the referee that Colchester were offside.

Coventry thought they had pulled one back on 40 minutes when Dann's shot looked to be heading in, only for Vernon to clear off the line.

Tabb tried again from distance moments later, only for the keeper to save before at the other end, Schmeichel saved well from a one-on-one with Lisbie.

But if Coventry had no luck in the first half, they certainly did in the second when Fox's ball was collected by Best with 49 gone and tapped home from four yards out - through the goalkeeper's legs. It was a fantastic start to the second period and it was a certainty that the team had experienced a roasting at half-time.

And there was jubilation amongst the Coventry fans just three minutes later with 51 on the clock when Danny Fox, on the edge of the area, curled a sublime shot into the top corner which gave Gerken no chance to make it 2-1.

Best was a constant thorn in the side of the Colchester defence and a particular threat in the air, heading wide on a couple of occasions and rarely beaten to the ball.

At the other end, Lisbie shot into the arms of Schmeichel with 71 gone, before Coventry were awarded a penalty when Duguid fouled Mifsud.

Elliott Ward stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake to make it 3-1.

The Sky Blues scored another when Doyle scored just two minutes later to make it 4-1.

At the death, Ward made it 5-1 with his second penalty of the game after Hines had been fouled by Balogh.

4thegame
Coventry City staged an amazing second-half comeback to stun Colchester United with five goals.

Trailing to a Scott Vernon goal at the break, Chris Coleman's side took the home team to task with an outstanding second-half effort aided by some woeful Colchester defending.

Just one point above the relegation zone before this clash, City were desperate for a result but their first-half performance hardly looked like a side in need of points.

And it was Colchester who shaved the first half and when Vernon got on the end of a Kevin Lisbie deflected shot after 17 minutes, it was perhaps no more than the Essex side deserved.

The Sky Blues had started well but Vernon's goal rocked them and they never looked like scoring up to the break.

However, after the interval and aided by Dean Gerken's howler, Coventry went on to impress with a nap hand of goals.

Just two minutes into the second half, Leon Best got the better of the Colchester defence and prodded the ball at Gerken who inexplicably allowed it to slip through his hands and legs and into the back of the net.

It was the equalising lifeline the visitors needed and a minute later they were in front when Daniel Fox curled a beauty into the top corner from 20 yards.

Lisbie had chances to equalise but Coventry stayed firm and the skilful Michael Mifsud was fouled by Karl Duguid 13 minutes from time with Elliott Ward dispatching the penalty with ease.

Five minutes later it was 4-1 with Mifsud again to the fore, skinning Duguid and pulling the ball back for Jay Tabb, whose blocked shot fell to Michael Doyle who netted easily.

Substitute Zavon Hines was sent crashing by Chris Coyne in the last minute and Ward sent Gerken the wrong way once more as the Sky Blues fans celebrated their biggest win of the season and more importantly their most crucial.

Coventry 1 Stoke 2 - 12/04/2008

Coventry 1 Stoke 2 - 12/04/2008

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Isaac Osbourne, Elliott Ward, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Kevin Thornton, Stephen Hughes, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 85), Michael Mifsud (Zavon Hines 84),
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall, Julian Gray
Booked: Michael Doyle 68, Scott Dann 64
Goals: Elliot Ward 31(pen)

Stoke City: Carlo Nash, Leon Cort, Chris Riggott, Andy Griffin (Ryan Shawcross 40), Carl Dickinson, Stephen Pearson (Liam Lawrence 67), Richard Cresswell, Danny Pugh, Rory Delap, Shola Ameobi (Mamady Sidibe 25), Ricardo Fuller
Subs not used: Jay Bothroyd, Steve Simonsen
Booked: Liam Lawrence 80, Rory Delap 71
Goals: Ricardo Fuller 55(pen), Liam Lawrence 79

Attendance: 20249
Referee: U Rennie

Teamtalk
Substitute Liam Lawrence scored the winning goal as Stoke ended their alarming recent slump with a 2-1 win over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena .

Lawrence, a 66th-minute replacement for Stephen Pearson, took just 13 minutes to make an impact as Tony Pulis' side won for only the second time in their last nine matches.

It had been a tale of two penalties at the Ricoh Arena as Ricardo Fuller cancelled out Elliott Ward's opening goal for Coventry from the spot.

Chris Coleman's first home defeat since becoming Coventry boss in February saw his side dragged further into the relegation battle.

Coventry threatened inside the opening minute when Leon Best latched on to Stephen Hughes' throughball.

Carlo Nash had anticipated the danger and rushed out of his 18-yard area to clear the danger but was beaten to the ball by Best, who in trying to knock the ball round the Stoke goalkeeper inadvertently put it out for a goal-kick.

Coventry were on the attack again two minutes later and almost opened the scoring through Kevin Thornton.

The diminutive midfielder's near-post glancing header from Jay Tabb's left-wing cross had Nash beaten but struck the crossbar.

Stoke failed to clear their lines and eventually the ball broke to Michael Doyle, whose angled shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Coventry continued to ask early questions of their visitors and good link up play between Thornton and Doyle created an opening for the latter, but the Irishman dragged his shot harmlessly across the face of Stoke's goal.

The same combination engineered another chance in the 13th minute following a neat one-two on the edge of the box.

Doyle connected better this time but once again his shot curled wide of the far post.

Stoke looked menacing for the first time midway through the first half when Fuller crept in behind the Coventry defence, but Scott Dann recovered well to muscle the chance away from the Jamaica international.

Ward then put the Sky Blues ahead. Referee Uriah Rennie pointed to the spot after a goalmouth scramble inside Stoke's six-yard box following Dan Fox's inswinging corner.

Carl Dickinson upended Thornton and Ward calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Nash the wrong way.

It was the defender's fourth goal of the season, all of them from the penalty spot.

Leon Cort could have equalised immediately. However, the defender steered his volley wide from 12 yards out.

Nash produced a solid save to palm Thornton's rising shot over the crossbar following Tabb's cut-back from the byline in the 39th minute.

The first half ended with Doyle stinging Nash's palms with a low shot from inside the area.

Coventry keeper Kasper Schmeichel was forced into action for the first time five minutes after the restart, pushing away Fuller's low shot on the turn.

Fuller levelled from the spot in the 55th minute. A weaving run from Stoke's top scorer was brought to an abrupt end when he was brought down inside the area by Hughes.

Fuller confidently blasted the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner, despite Schmeichel diving the right way.

Stoke were in the ascendancy. Pearson was inches away from getting a touch to Fuller's delightful cross with the outside of his foot as he slid in at the near post just after the hour mark, before Mamady Sidibe glanced a header wide midway through the second half.

Stoke's pressure was rewarded when Lawrence expertly steered home his 15th goal of the season.

Schmeichel had rushed from his line to thwart Richard Cresswell but the ball broke to Lawrence, who curled a first time shot with his left foot into the unguarded net.

CCFC
Promotion chasing Stoke came from a goal behind to record victory at the Ricoh Arena.

A penalty from Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence goal cancelled out a first half spot kick by Elliott Ward as City's relegation worries deepen.

The Sky Blues started brightly and were unfortunate not to take a third minute lead when Kevin Thornton hit the crossbar with a glancing header from a Jay Tabb cross before Michael Doyle fired narrowly wide of the upright from the edge of the area.

The Irishman was on the end of another excellent move in the 23rd minute, with City playing some flowing football to keep the Potters' rearguard occupied, but again his effort was just off target.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was forced to make a change midway through the first half when Shola Ameobi came off injured and was replaced by Mamady Sidibe.

But the Sky Blues took a deserved lead just after the half hour mark when Dickinson upended Thornton in the box and referee Uriah Rennie pointed to the spot. Elliott Ward stepped up and calmly slotted his penalty into the bottom corner, sending keeper Carlo Nash the wrong way.

City came close to extending their lead five minutes before the interval when good work from Tabb teed up Thornton but his 15 yard effort was superbly tipped over by Nash.

Stoke had failed to test Kasper Schmeichel through the duration of the first half but Ricardo Fuller forced the City shot stopper into a full stretch save in the 50th minute with a curling shot from 18 yards, as the visitors looked to make more of an impact in the second 45 minutes.

And the Potters were level on 53 when Fuller equalised from the penalty spot. Stephen Hughes made a needless challenge on the Jamaican international and Uriah Rennie again had no doubt aas he awarded a second spot kick of the afternoon. Fuller stepped up and cooly finished to even things up.

The game was far more stretched in the opening stages of the second period and Thornton, lively as ever for the Sky Blues, looked to regain the lead for City but his sweetly struck shot drifted wide.

Pulis made his third and final substitution of the afternoon on 67, bringing on talented midfielder Liam Lawrence for Stephen Pearson.

And it was Lawrence who scored what would turn out to be the winner with 12 minutes remaining, shooting into an open net after Schmeichel had saved at the feet of Fuller.

Coleman made a double switch, introducing Robbie Simpson and Zavon Hines for Best and Mifsud but it was too late to influence the result.
4thegame
Substitute Liam Lawrence earned Stoke City a valuable victory in their bid for automatic promotion after falling behind at Coventry City.

Ricardo Fuller's 15th goal of the season cancelled out Elliott Ward's first-half opener as both teams netted from the penalty spot, before Lawrence scored with 11 minutes left.

Coventry started this match which manager Chris Coleman described as "monster" in positive mood by attacking Stoke from the start.

Jay Tabb's floated cross from the left was met by a glancing header from Kevin Thornton which crashed against the bar in the third minute.

In the next attack, Michael Doyle's low 20-yard shot flew across the face of the goal as Stoke were penned back in their own half.

Coleman's team were rewarded for their dominance by taking the lead on the half-hour mark.

Thornton was brought down inside the box in a goalmouth melee by Carl Dickinson and referee Uriah Rennie immediately pointed to the spot.

Ward's right-footed penalty beat keeper Carlo Nash, who dived the wrong way.

Tony Pulis' side might have equalised in the 50th minute when Fuller turned Ward to curl in a shot which Kasper Schmeichel palmed away.

The dangerous Fuller won the visitors a spot-kick four minutes later when he weaved past two Coventry players before he was fouled by skipper Stephen Hughes.

The Jamaican tucked his penalty into the corner of the net.

Soon after, Fuller's left-wing cross teed up Stephen Pearson, but the on-loan midfielder from Derby just failed to connect with the ball.

But Stoke grabbed a vital second goal in the 79th minute when Richard Cresswell's shot was saved by Schmeichel, but the rebound fell to Lawrence and the substitute hit the ball into an unguarded net.

Watford 2 Coventry 1 - 05/04/2008

Watford 2 Coventry 1 - 05/04/2008

Watford: Richard Lee, Lloyd Doyley (Jay Demerit 86), Mathew Sadler, Daniel Shittu, Leigh Bromby, Tommy Smith, John O'Toole, Gareth Williams, Lee Williamson, Jobi McAnuff (Jordan Stewart 82), Nathan Ellington (Adrian Mariappa 82), Steve Kabba
Subs not used: Collins John, Mart Poom
Booked: Daniel Shittu 82
Goals: Nathan Ellington 6, Tommy Smith 79

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy (Michael Mifsud 45), Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray (Kevin Thornton 89), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Robbie Simpson (Zavon Hines 72), Leon Best
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall
Goals: Leon Best 59

Attendance: 17188
Referee: D Deadman


Teamtalk
Watford got their Championship promotion push back on track as goals from Nathan Ellington and Tommy Smith gave them a 2-1 win over Coventry.
Ellington had the Hornets in front after just six minutes when he fired in from inside the box, but Leon Best headed Coventry level just before the hour mark.

Coventry had looked likely to grab a winner, but a defensive mistake from former Watford man Stephen Hughes allowed Smith to score 11 minutes from time and give Watford their first win in nine games.

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd made two changes from the side which lost at Hull last weekend with John-Joe O'Toole coming into midfield in place of Al Bangura and Lloyd Doyley replacing Jay DeMerit in defence.

Chris Coleman also made two changes to his Coventry side as Best returned up front at the expense of Michael Mifsud and Isaac Osbourne replaced Jay Tabb.

Watford looked eager to get an early goal and they did just that in the sixth minute when Ellington picked the ball up 30 yards out and was allowed to go into the box unchallenged before driving the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.

The home side immediately went in search of a second and O'Toole fired over from 20 yards before Ellington's ambitious long-range effort flew wide.

Coventry gradually began to get into the game and Best sent a left-foot strike from the edge of the area just wide of Richard Lee's goal.

However, Watford continued to look dangerous and Lee Williamson crossed for Smith who dragged his shot wide.

Minutes later Williamson drove a free-kick into the wall, but Coventry held on to prevent Watford doubling their lead before the break.

Coleman signalled his side's intentions for the second half as he brought Mifsud on for defender Richard Duffy in a bid to get back into the game.

The introduction of Mifsud unsettled Watford and they were struggling to cope with the Maltese striker's running.

With 59 minutes gone he laid the ball off to Julian Gray on the left and he dinked in a superb cross right into the path of Best who headed past Lee from close range.

Watford reacted well and should have been in front minutes later when Jobi McAnuff's corner from the left found Danny Shittu, but he headed wide.

On-loan West Ham striker Zavon Hines came on for Coventry and they looked the more likely to grab the winner as the Vicarage Road crowd became more restless.

However, with 11 minutes remaining Lee's long kick was misjudged by Hughes who allowed the ball to bounce over his head and into the path of Smith who slipped the ball through Schmeichel's legs to restore Watford's lead.

The goal was harsh on Coventry who were almost level soon after when Daniel Fox's corner was cleared into the path of Mifsud who sent a curling shot from 30 yards narrowly wide.

Hines drove a long-range effort over the bar late on, but Watford held on to move within a point of the automatic promotion places.

CCFC
A 79th minute goal shattered Coventry City's hopes of a point as Watford won 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Leon Best had cancelled out Nathan Ellington's opener, but Tommy Smith's strike took all three points for the home side.

Chris Coleman made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

Star midfielder Jay Tabb has a virus, so Isaac Osbourne came into midfield. Leon Best returned from suspension and was preferred up front to Michael Mifsud, who had to be content with a place on the bench.

It was the worst possible start for the Sky Blues when on seven minutes, Tommy Smith played the ball through to Ellington on the edge of the box. The former West Brom and Bristol City Rovers man made no mistake as he placed his shot into the bottom corner past the outstretched hand of Schmeichel to make it 1-0.

Osbourne shot straight into the hands of Lee from a free kick, before at the other end, Smith shot over as Watford tried to threaten.

The Hornets were certainly controlling the opening stages of the game and John-Joe O'Toole forced an excellent save from Schmeichel with a rasping shot, before Smith followed up with a cross to the far post, only for Richard Duffy to clear the danger.

At the other end, chances were few and far between although the Sky Blues did create something with 26 on the clock, when Fox's long ball skimmed off the head of Simpson and out for a goal kick.

Best did try and keep up the momentum however, when his firm grass-skimmer from 22-yards was held by Lee.

Smith stabbed it wide on 33 minutes, but it was destined to be the final real opportunity of the half.

Coleman opted to make a substitution at half-time, with Mifsud replacing Richard Duffy. It meant that Osbourne moved to the right-back position, with the Maltese international slotting in on the right side of midfield.

The forward was an instant danger, giving the Hornets defence plenty to think about as he went forward.

But it was actually down the other side of the pitch where Coleman's men had more input and when Gray crossed in from the far left with 59 on the clock, Best made no mistake as he headed it past the keeper from close range to make it 1-1.

The manager elected to make his second attacking substitution of the game on 71 minutes when Zavon Hines replaced Simpson up front.

But it was Aidy Boothroyd's men who would have the impact up front, with Ellington's flick on from a long ball finding Smith on 79 minutes, who kept his cool to finish past Schmeichel and make it 2-1.

Mifsud shot over as the Sky Blues tried to get back onto level terms.

4thegame
Watford are back in the heart of the genuine five-horse race for automatic promotion, while Coventry City are still looking nervously over their shoulders at the other end of the table, after Tommy Smith's goal ten minutes from time lifted the Hornets back within two points of top spot.

It looked like Aidy Boothroyd's men, without a win in their last eight, would have to settle for another draw after Leon Best cancelled out Nathan Ellington's early opener. But Smith kept his head to capitalise on a defensive lapse to hand Watford only a third home league win since mid-October.

The home side got off to the perfect start in the seventh minute, and it was a moment of some satisfaction for Ellington, who had gone almost two months without a goal.

Smith won a second ball towards the right side of the Coventry area and played it inside to the Hornets' record signing, who, after one touch, took aim and fired a left-footed daisy-cutter inside Kasper Schmeichel's near post from 20 yards.

Boosted by making the breakthrough, the Hornets looked the most likely of the sides to add to the scoring in the first half, and Schmeichel did well to parry a John-Joe O'Toole thunderbolt from 20 yards before Smith fired a great opportunity wide after some neat interplay between Ellington and Lee Williamson.

In between times, the Sky Blues created their only decent opening of the first period when Robbie Simpson glanced a Stephen Hughes free-kick narrowly wide.

The consistent failure to retain possession was a feature of Watford's play throughout though, and it was from one such breakdown in play that enabled the visitors to get back on terms in the 59th minute.

Michael Doyle had time to pick out Julian Gray on the left and he sent over a fine, deep cross which Best rose well to head home the equaliser.

But with ten minutes remaining it was a Coventry lapse that gave the home side the chance to claim a vital three points - and they took it.

A long Richard Lee clearance was flicked on by Ellington, but Scott Dann misjudged the bounce of the ball and could only help it into the path of Smith, and he kept his head to lift it over the advancing Schmeichel.

Defeat was a shade harsh on Coventry, but while their opponents can realistically dream of an instant return to the top-flight, Chris Coleman's men still have very real concerns at the other end of the table.

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Coventry 1 - 01/04/2008

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Coventry 1 - 01/04/2008

Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Tommy Spur, Mark Beevers, Richard Wood, Sean McAllister (Adam Bolder 44), Frank Songo'o, Burton O'Brien (Bartosz Slusarki 83), Graham Kavanagh (Steve Watson 76), Jermaine Johnson, Ben Sahar, Deon Burton
Subs not used: Robert Burch, Peter Gilbert
Booked: Richard Wood 16
Goals: Richard Wood 90

Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Richard Duffy, Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Julian Gray (Isaac Osbourne 90), Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud (Zavon Hines 74), Robbie Simpson
Subs not used: Kevin Thornton, Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall
Booked: Richard Duffy 23
Goals: Zavon Hines 83

Attendance: 21110
Referee: G Laws

Teamtalk
Richard Wood's stoppage-time equaliser lifted Sheffield Wednesday out of the Championship relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry.
Owls captain Wood stooped to head the ball into the far corner from eight yards out after a long throw-in from Steve Watson in the second minute of time added-on at Hillsborough to earn Wednesday a priceless point in their battle to avoid the drop.

On-loan striker Zavon Hines looked to have taken Coventry a step closer to survival with a sublime left-foot volley seven minutes from time after a mistake from Jermaine Johnson, but Wednesday threw men forward and were rewarded right at the death.

The point was enough for them to leapfrog Barnsley and Southampton on goal difference and the South Yorkshire club still have a game in hand.

Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman said his side needed two wins to preserve their Championship status and it looked as if they were halfway to reaching that target until Wood's late leveller.

In the lead-up to the game, Coleman insisted the onus was on Wednesday to attack and they clearly took his comments on board, forcing two early corners, one of which was headed narrowly wide by Wood.

Pacey winger Julian Gray forged an opportunity to put the visitors in front when he raced down the left flank and played a neat one-two with Michael Mifsud, but failed to get enough power on his shot, which was smothered by Lee Grant.

Wednesday struggled to keep possession but almost took the lead 15 minutes in when on-loan winger Franck Songo'o skipped clear of his marker and cut the ball back to Graham Kavanagh, who dragged a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

The diminutive Mifsud set up his strike partner Robbie Simpson after 28 minutes and the youngster unleashed a vicious right-foot drive that forced the agile Grant to tip the ball wide at full stretch.

Some poor passing from both sides made for an uneventful start to the second half, although Sky Blues defender Duffy went down in the penalty and appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty, seemingly more in hope than expectation.

The pace and power of Songo'o kept the City defence on their toes and the on-loan Portsmouth man would have been disappointed not to test Kasper Schmeichel with a powerful right-foot drive after a probing run down the right.

Coventry looked content to settle for a point, but, in a rare attack, Jay Tabb forced Grant to tip the ball round the post for a corner.

The Wednesday faithful were becoming more tense by the minute and vented their frustration at the experienced Kavanagh, who wasted several corners.

And the Owls were almost caught on the break when Mifsud raced clear but, with the goal gaping, wasted his chance to end his 14-game scoring drought by cutting inside and inviting a challenge from the retreating Johnson.

But Coventry were in front eight minutes from time when Johnson's poor attempted clearance sat up nicely for Hines, who lashed an unstoppable left-volley that left Grant helpless.

Wednesday looked void of ideas and doomed for defeat, but with the final whistle imminent, Watson launched a throw into the box and Wood directed the ball into the far corner to stun the visitors

CCFC
Sheffield Wednesday grabbed a stoppage time equaliser at Hillsborough after Zavon Hines' late goal appeared to have earned the Sky Blues a vital three points.

Centre-back Richard Wood headed home deep into stoppage time to deny City the win they looked to be heading for when on-loan striker Hines came off the bench to score spectacularly in the 84th minute.

Chris Coleman made just one change for the match, selecting Richard Duffy for his first appearance since re-signing for City on loan, the Welsh international replacing Isaac Osbourne at right-back.

Wednesday started the game brightly, pressing City back and looking to get an early stranglehold on proceedings and in the sixth minute, skipper Richard Wood headed just wide from a corner.

On the counter attack, City broke rapidly down the left through Julian Gray who played a neat one-two with Mifsud before forcing a decent stop from Owls keeper Lee Grant.

Graham Kavanagh came close to giving the home side the lead in the 13th minute when he produced a snap shot from the edge of the area, which had Kasper Schmeichel wrong footed but just went wide of the post.

The game continued as an end to end affair and on 29 Simpson linked with Mifsud and stung the fingertips of Grant with a well struck shot from 20 yards.

Just before the interval Brian Laws was forced into a change as Adam Bolder replaced Sean McAllister.

The Sky Blues seemed to have a decent shout for a penalty shortly after the break when Duffy was upended by Tommy Spurr but the referee waved the appeals away.

The lively Franck Songo'o was causing City plenty of problems down the Owls' right and he sent a powerful shot flashing narrowly over the crossbar as the game continued in a similarly open fashion.

The Sky Blues continued to play some good counter attacking football and Mifsud produced a good save from Grant in the 65th minute after more good interplay with Simpson.

But the Maltese striker was in Chris Coleman's bad books when he broke the offside trap and raced through on goal, only to hesitate in pulling the trigger before losing possession. Moments later City's top scorer was brought off by the Coventry boss and replaced by Zavon Hines.

And it was the loan man who scored what appeared to be the decisive goal in the 84th minute, smashing a sweet volley past Grant from 12 yards after Jermaine Johnson had failed to clear a Robbie Simpson cross.

But the Owls did not give up and grabbed a share of the spoils in the dying moments when Wood got a glancing header onto Tommy Spurr's long throw-in, which evaded Schmeichel and nestled in the far corner of the net.

4thegame
Richard Wood scrambled a stoppage time goal to keep Sheffield Wednesday's hopes of avoiding relegation alive after Coventry sub Zavon Hines had struck in the 83rd minute.

The teenage striker scored nine minutes after coming on, but it was the Owls centre-back who had the final word after missing two chances in the opening half.

The Sheffield side should have broken the deadlock early on in a match rearranged after the original fixture in December was abandoned with the Hillsborough turf waterlogged.

Burton O'Brien's deep corner evaded the Coventry back four and fell nicely for Wood, who pulled his far post header wide from six yards Julian Gray exchanged passes with dangerman Michael Mifsud to lash in a low shot from a tight angle which was smothered on the line by the diving Lee Grant, before Graham Kavanagh almost found a way through with a snap-shot but the ball spun narrowly wide.

The Owls, who are in the trouble for breaking Football League rules by naming six loan signings in the squad for Saturday's match against Stoke, pressed for the opener with Ben Sahar's right-foot drive taking a deflection as the ball flashed inches wide of the target.

Coventry, who have lost three out of nine games since Chris Coleman took over last month, soaked up the Wednesday pressure and almost caught them out on the break.

Mifsud found space on the right to stroke the ball into the path of the lanky Robbie Simpson, who finished with a stinging angled shot from just inside the box which was tipped away in spectacular fashion by Grant.

Wednesday squandered another chances a minute before the break from another set-piece with Wood stretching to reach Kavanagh's corner but again heading wide from close range.

Coventry could have had a penalty in the 51st minute after Richard Duffy beat Tommy Spurr before tumbling over the full-back's outstretched leg but referee Graham Laws would have none of it.

Chances fell at both ends with Mifsud was foiled by Grant, while Johnson's fierce low drive was clutched at the foot of the post by Kasper Schmeichel.

Hines struck after Johnson's attempted clearance fell at his feet and lashed the ball past Grant, before Wood stretched to reach a long throw in to head past Schmeichel for the equaliser.