Coventry City U21s record a 0-0 draw against Derby County at the Ricoh Arena...
Coventry City Under-21s stretched their unbeaten run to four games as they claimed a point in a goalless draw against Derby County at the Ricoh Arena.
Derby keeper Adam Legdzins made sure the Rams went home with a point after a string of second-half saves from Conor Thomas and Callum Ball.
Lee Carsley named a strong team to face Derby County, a team they beat 2-1 at Pride Park just two weeks ago.
Having been suspended for the first team at the weekend following his red card at Walsall, Jordan Stewart started at left-back with Thomas anchoring the midfield in a 4-5-1 formation.
After a tentative start from both sides, it was the home side who went closest to scoring as Billy Daniels failed to finish two chances in two minutes.
The first chance in the 12th minute saw Jordan Stewart and Danny Philliskirk play a neat interchange down the left before crossing for Daniels, who controlled with his chest but failed to find the net.
A little more than 30 seconds later, the Derby defence lost possession in the area and Ball set up Daniels on the edge of the area, but his shot was deflected into the arms of Derby keeper Adam Legzdins.
Derby’s Micahel Hoganson forced Chris Dunn into a save in the 22nd minute as Hoganson collected a right-wing cross before firing straight at the City keeper.
Ball, Daniels and Will Roberts all had efforts for the Sky Blues as half-time approached but the sides went in level at the break.
Charles Vernam, who scored against Coventry City Under-18s on Saturday, had the first chance of the second half in the 61st minute when Hoganson’s cross fell for the Derby striker but he poked his shot narrowly wide.
City continued to grow into the game and should have taken the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Callum Ball blasted his shot from the edge of the area over the bar after good play from Thomas and Daniels.
In the next attack, Philliskirk found Roberts on the right with a brilliant cross-field ball but after taking it down inside the area, the City winger put his shot wide.
As the game approached the last 10 minutes, Jordan Clarke blasted a shot over the bar before Roberts had a header tipped behind by the brilliant Legzdins.
Legzdins was at the centre of the action again in the 81st minute as he brilliantly saved a fierce Thomas shot from the edge of the area after Clarke had his header cleared off the line.
Jordan Stewart blocked a Hoganson effort in the final minute to make sure City claimed a point in an engaging contest.
Teams
Coventry City: Dunn (GK), J. Clarke, Azille-Moore, Henderson (c), Stewart, Thomas, Roberts, Ruffels, Daniels Philliskirk, Ball.
Subs: Maund, Rankin, Finch, Garner, Maddison
Derby County: Legzdins (GK), O'Connor, Roberts, Brayford (Dales 63), Gjokaj, Hanson, Bennett, Jacobs, Vernam (Smith 66), Doyle, Hoganson.
Subs: Morth, Adams, Thomas.