COVENTRY City Under 18s were hailed as "magnificent" by manager Gregor Rioch after Neath seniors required a late goal to snatch a last gasp draw.

The Sky Blues were leading  2-1 in the final stages of the away tie through goals from Callum Wilson and substitute Ruffels but were denied another victory against a second full senior side by a late second from the Welsh Premier Division outfit.

City enjoyed a number of good spells in the first half, creating a number of chances including Rob Ogleby going one-on-one with the Neath 'keeper who eventually came off the victor.

It was the hosts who broke the deadlock on 41 minutes though when former Grimsby and Norwich City striker Chris Llewelyn headed home from a far-side cross.

The Sky Blues fought back in the second half though and equalised in the 78th minute when Callum Wilson took the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Ruffels completed a quickfire double salvo two minutes later, coming off the bench immediately after Wilson's equaliser and chesting a headed pass and firing a volley into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

A rare mistake from substitute goalkeeper Lee Burge in the last minute allowed Neath to equalise, a mis-hit goal kick going straight to the centre forward who tucked away the opportunity.

But academy manager Gregor Rioch was still left overjoyed with the result, a display he labelled as "the best in my time as Under 18s manager."

"I thought the lads were absolutely fantastic," he said.

"That was definitely the best footballing performance I have seen from the boys since I took charge of the under 18s and I'm immensely proud of them.

"Neath have got a good squad with some very good ex-pros in their side but we went at them and put together a magnificent performance."

Team

Coventry City: Quirke (Burge 75), Bottomer, Greenway (Gudger 70), Cameron, Adams, Blackwell, Grandison (Ruffels 78), Grogan, Leluu (Bigirimana 78), Wilson, Ogleby