Arjan de Zeeuw played 90 minutes for Coventry City's reserves as they lost 2-1 to Walsall at Liberty Way.

The Dutch centre-back put in a solid display for Steve Ogrizovic's men in his first appearance in a Sky Blues shirt.

De Zeeuw, named by Iain Dowie as the Club's captain, was yet to appear this campaign after injuring his knee during the pre-season training camp in Bath.

But his presence wasn't enough to prevent City losing 2-1 to their local rivals in the Pontin's League, with Wayne Andrews scoring the only goal for City.

Young defender Ben Turner also continued his comeback from injury against the Saddlers, who made a sprightly start to the game with tricky winger Edrissa Sonko forcing City goalkeeper Danny Ireland into a decent save early on.

And the visitors raced into a 10th minute lead when striker Troy Deeney slotted home after Ireland had parried Alex Nicholls' initial shot at goal.

But Andrews, back after a long-standing ankle problem, was on hand to level matters on the half-hour when he capitalised on a poor defensive clearance to fire low into the net.

Robbie Simpson went close to putting the Sky Blues ahead shortly after when he saw an effort saved by Walsall 'keeper Bertrand Bossu before young Academy winger Ashley Cain scuppered a glorious chance from a Callum Burgess cross.

And City were made to punished in the 57th minute when Saddlers' trialist Joao Batista Mawete found himself in behind the City defence and confidently finished past Ireland.

Walsall: Bossu, Taundry, Sansara, Bradley (c), C Davies, Roper, Sonko, Nicholls, Deeney (R Davies, 89), McDermott (Hanna, 80), Mawete (Harris, 90). Subs (Not Used): Quarless, Cox.

Coventry: Ireland, Robinson (Grandison, 90), De Zeeuw, Turner, Burgess (Wynter, 65), Cain (Ritchie, 84), Gooding, Burtoft, Davis, Simpson, Andrews. Subs (Not Used): Collett, Ashraf.