Goals from Gary Madine and Frank Nouble saw the Sky Blues go through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Semi-Final...
Coventry City progressed to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Semi-Final with a 2-0 win over League Two Plymouth Argyle.
Goals from Gary Madine - his first for the club - and a stunning individual effort from substitute Frank Nouble secured passage for City at the Ricoh Arena.
The Sky Blues made five changes to the side that were beaten by Worcester City on Sunday and one of those changes, Ryan Allsop, was forced into action early on as he excellently saved Reuben Reid’s drive from 20-yards around his right-hand post.
James Maddison was then booked for simulation on 25 minutes after what looked like a foul from Argyle defender Carl McHugh.
But that didn’t bother the 17-year-old who then had a great chance when he scuffed Aaron Phillips’ cross wide when well placed in the area.
That was the last action of a scrappy first-half, but City started the second brightly, with John Fleck going close as his vicious volley at the back-post forced Luke McCormick into a good stop.
Maddison was replaced by Nouble on the hour and the Sky Blues took the lead a minute later.
Jim O'Brien's out-swinging corner was powerfully met by Madine whose header was deflected off the Argyle defender on the line and into the net.
Allsop then made a great save to keep the Sky Blues level shortly after, clawing out Peter Hartley's glancing header which was heading into the far corner.
Goalscorer Madine was then replaced by Conor Thomas on 76 minutes, before Nouble secured the victory - as he picked the ball up on the half-way line, surged past three defenders and smashed an exquisite left-footed drive into the top left-hand corner with five minutes to play.
The magical goal made sure there was no late Argyle pressure and the draw for the Area Semi-Final takes place on Saturday.
Teams
Coventry City: Allsop; Phillips, Webster, Willis, Haynes; O'Brien (C), Barton, Finch, Fleck; Maddison (Nouble 60), Madine (Thomas 76).
Subs not used: Charles-Cook, McQuoid, Swanson.
Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Smalley, Cox, Nelson (C), Allesandra, Reid (Thomas 80), Blizzard, Kellett, McHugh (Morgan 67), O'Connor, Hartley
Subs not used: Norburn, Harvey, Bittner
Yellow Card(s): Maddison, Barton, Webster.