COVENTRY City suffered an early exit from this year's Carling Cup after an extra-time goal from substitute Adam Boyd handed Hartlepool a second round berth.

The Sky Blues enjoyed the majority of possession and created far more opportunities to get on the scoresheet but Boyd capitalized on the Pools' only real clear cut chance to break the deadlock just before the end of first half extra time.

Coventry boss Chris Coleman fielded a much younger side than normal due to a lack of bodies through injuries and international appearances, a starting line-up that handed full debuts to academy products Adam Walker, Jordan Clarke, Jermaine Grandison, Shaun Jeffers and Ashley Cain.

Coleman was infact forced to make eighht changes to the side that beat Ipswich Town 2-1 on the opening day of the season

And City dominated the first half although there were few in the way of goalscoring chances as the young Sky Blues side continually knocked on the door of the Pools penalty area but were limited to half chances.

Freddy Eastwood had the first chance for City after eight minutes, glancing a header wide of Scott Flinders' far post following a cross from Ashley Cain.

Shaun Jeffers also almost punished Pools' central defender Gary Liddle who was almost caught in possession but just managed to poke the ball to safety.

Full debutant Adam Walker had arguably the best chance of the half for City after 16 minutes though, Jeffers providing a neat flick in the box for the midfielder who got a shot off infront of goal but was denied by a great close rage save from Flinders.

The 18-year-old had another good chance at the end of the half, Eastwood dribbling through the box and passing to Walker who flashed a half volley over the bar.

The second period was also devoid of a large collection of chances although Eastwood managed to glance another header just wide and Dimi Konstantopoulos was forced to make a good stand-up save from James Brown in a one-on-one situation on 74 minutes.

City sub Clinton Morrison also had a close range hooked shot saved from Flinders in second half injury time which all but ensured an extra 30 minutes.

Peter Hartley hit a long range effort for the Pools which crashed against Konstantopoulos' post three minutes into first half extra time.

But Boyd finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of extra time half time when Colin Larkin crossed from the right, Boyd controlled and swept a half volley past Konstantopoulos from ten yards out.

City battered the Hartlepool penalty area in second half extra time, Jeffers, Turner and Cain all going close.

Walker came closest to getting the ultimately elusive equaliser five minutes from the end, his 30-yard effort forcing Flinders to make a great save and tip over his bar.

But it looked as though it was not Coventry's night as late chance after late chance went near but never the right side of the woodwork.

Attendance: 6,055 (away 339)

Teams

Coventry City: Konstantopoulos, Wright (Wilson 105), Grandison, Turner, Clarke (Cameron 104), Walker, McIndoe (Morrison 77), Osbourne, Cain, Eastwood, Jeffers
Subs: Quirke (GK), Blackwell, Grogan

Hartlepool United: Flinders, Liddle, Collins (c), McSweeney (Brown 62), Jones, Behan (Boyd 75), Monkhouse, Sweeney, Haslam, Fredriksen (Larkin 64), Hartley
Subs: Cook (GK), Austin, Rowell, Foley