Coventry City

A tentative opening ten minutes from both sides, with little to no goalmouth action, despite a lively start from AFC Wimbledon’s Jake Reeves, who displayed a couple of clever touches in midfield.

On the books of Tottenham Hotspur as a youth, Reeves was nearly in behind the City back line in the 13th minute, before Farrend Rawson stepped across smartly to intervene. 

Kwame Thomas had the first sight of goal for the away side, regaining a starting berth after netting against Oldham last weekend. The forward was the first to pounce on a Wimbledon defensive mix-up, but couldn’t make clear contact with the bouncing ball. 

Moments later, George Thomas was on the break, and used a burst of pace to cruise past oncoming defender Chris Robertson. The teenager fashioned a one on one situation with opposition ‘keeper James Shea, but the stopper was able to claw away Thomas’ goalbound effort.

25 minutes had passed before the home side tested Lee Burge in the City net, who found excellent response to a Tom Soares volley. The 30-year old tried his luck from the edge of the Sky Blues’ technical area, but Burge was equal to it, effectively palming over the bar. 

Centre-half Paul Robinson connected with the resulting corner, but headed wide of the target. Lyle Taylor tried further to break the deadlock, but stand-in skipper Nathan Clarke was on hand to block the long range effort. 

The home side had a spell of pressure in the closing stages of the first 45, with Soares, Taylor and Dom Poleon all linking well. Rawson and Clarke won a series of aerial duels, while Dion Kelly-Evans had his work cut out with Andy Barcham, who proceeded to get forward down the left. 

Wimbledon’s George Francomb had the final chance of the first-half, from a dead ball situation. The former Norwich City man delivered a free-kick 18-yards out, won by the tireless Poleon, which called Burge in to action once more. Robinson looked to apply a touch as the ball was driven low, but failed to connect, as City weathered the Wimbledon storm. 

An enterprising start for City after the restart, after Thomas was released by a long Burge kick. He gave chase, but Shea beat the Welshman to the ball, racing to the edge of his technical area. 

A smartly worked free-kick was instigated by Francomb on the hour mark, as he chipped a ball in to an unmarked Soares at the back post. The forward nodded back across goal, but Taylor could only head over the bar. 

Russell Slade introduced newest signing Yakubu midway through the second-half, hoping to inject some dynamism in to City’s attacking play. Jodi Jones entered the field soon after, deployed down the right, and it wasn’t long before the 19-year old had broken the deadlock. 

The winger cut inside from the right, on to his less favoured left boot, and found the far corner of Shea’s net with a well placed shot. City’s No.10 was making a real impact, taking on players and utilising his pace to carry the away side up the pitch. 

The home side pilled on the pressure in the final five minutes, with City historically vulnerable in the closing stages of league fixtures. Some anxious defending from Clarke kept out Poleon, while Turnbull was also forced to make a number of critical interceptions. 

Fresh off the subs bench, Tyrone Barnett nearly fashioned an opening in time added on, forcing Burge to sprint to the edge of his area to clear the danger. Four minutes went up on the fourth officials' board, and there was just enough time for skipper Robinson to find an equaliser. He lashed home from close range, denying City a precious three points.