The Sky Blues let a two-goal lead slip as they fall to defeat on the road in London...
Rich Stevens took over the reigns, as the Under-23s were defeated against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Jordan Ponticelli headed City into an early lead and Kyle Spence doubled the advantage shortly after, but Ebere Eze scored twice, either side of an Axel Prohouly strike, to secure the win for QPR..
The Sky Blues started brightly, keeping possession well as they tried to find an opening. However, it was QPR who had the first chance of the game. Corey Addai parried Ryan Manning’s effort, and on the follow up Ebere Eze found the net, but was adjudged to be in an offside.
City took the lead in the twelfth minute through Ponticelli. Jordan Shipley delivered an inviting corner and the striker got in front of his man to head home at the near post.
The Sky Blues deservedly doubled their advantage shortly after through Spence. Ryan Haynes done superbly to find a cross, and although Ponticelli’s initial effort was saved, Spence was on hand to put in the rebound.
Against the run of play, QPR grabbed an immediate lifeline. Axel Prohouly crossed for Ebere Eze to finish well, finding the bottom corner to beat Addai and reduce the deficit.
As the game settled a little after a frantic five-minute spell, City went close again just before half time. Devon Kelly-Evans found Bilal Siyoud, who beat his man and fired towards goals, but ‘keeper Dieng tipped his effort over the bar.
The home side began the second half on the front foot, with Prohouly causing problems for the City defence, although Addai twice denied the forward to retain the Sky Blues’ advantage.
City responded well and nearly added a third through Kelly-Evans. Jak Hickman’s wonderful diagonal ball found the captain, he beat his man but was denied by a smart save from the Hoops’ ‘keeper Dieng.
Just after the hour mark, the home side levelled the game. After a good spell in the game, Eze slipped a ball through to Prohouly and the attacker finished well, hitting it across Addai and into the bottom corner.
QPR continued to come forward and were denied the lead thanks to a good save from Addai. Josh Bowler found space on the left and fired towards goal, but the ‘keeper was equal to it, tipping it over the crossbar.
The home side hit the winner five minutes from the end. Eze grabbing his second of the game, smashing it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give QPR all three points.
Attendance: 120
Yellow: Paul, Lawton, Whitmore.
Teams
Coventry City U23: Addai (GK), Hickman, Whitmore, Ford, Haynes, Lawton (Bayliss 57'), Shipley, Dev. Kelly-Evans (C), Spence (Finn 76'), Siyoud, Ponticelli.
Subs: Scuza (GK), McMahon.
Queens Park Rangers U23: Dieng (GK), Kakay, Williams, Paul, Arthur, Finney, Prohouly, Manning, Darbyshire (Akinola 45'), Eze, Bowler.
Subs: Herdman (GK), Klass, Barzey.