Cian Bolger heads home a later winner for the Cod Army against City...
The Sky Blues concede late against Fleetwood Town to slip to defeat at the Ricoh Arena
In a very cautious opening the game, the first twenty minutes passed with little to no action in either goalmouth. Ashley Hunter escaped down the right after a lovely Kyle Dempsey pass, although his cross evaded everyone inside the City box.
City’s first meaningful sight at goal came from Stuart Beavon. A loose ball fell to the striker on the edge of the box, but Cairns saved comfortably as both sides struggled to gain the upper hand early on.
The opening goal nearly came through a bit of luck the Sky Blues seemed to have been missing in previous weeks. Andy Rose’s miss-hit cross looked to heading goalbound, only for Cairns to backtrack and clutch it on the line.
After a scrappy first half, the visitors very nearly took the lead within a minute of the restart. Amari’i Bell pulled the ball back towards Hunter, who flicked an effort just past the far post in what was the best chance of the game so far.
City responded well and went close soon after. An inswinging cross found the head of Callum Reilly, only for the midfielder to be denied a first City goal by the Fleetwood goalpost.
Fleetwood looked a danger from set pieces, with the height of defender Cian Bolger causing problems. He met an out swinging corner but could only head it onto the roof of the net.
Following a nice period of passing play, the Sky Blues seemed to have a half chance through Jordan Willis. Jodi Jones delivered to the back post, but the defender couldn’t make enough contact with the cross, heading it wide of the goal.
With just minutes remaining Fleetwood scored a late winner. An inswinging corner found the head of danger man Bolger to power a header past Burge and send City to late defeat yet again.
Attendance: 8,129 (121)
Yellow: Clarke, Bolger, McLaughlin.
Teams
Coventry City: Burge (GK), Willis (C), Rawson, Turnbull, Clarke, Haynes, Stevenson, Reilly, Rose (Lameiras 84'), G.Thomas, Beavon (Jones 45').
Subs: Charles-Cook (GK), Kelly-Evans, Harries, Gadzhev, Reid.
Fleetwood Town: Cairns (GK), McLaughlin (C), Bell, Eastham, Ball (Burns 75'), Grant, Bolger, Glendon (Schwabl 69'), Hunter (Long 60'), Dempsey, Davies.
Subs: Neal (GK), Nirennold, Maguire, Cole.