Franck Moussa gives the Sky Blues a half time advantage with his opener against the Cumbrians at Sixfields
Coventry City head into the break carrying a one-goal advantage over visiting Carlisle United courtesy of Franck Moussa.
Sky Blues boss Steven Pressley rang three changes to his side for the midweek visit of the Cumbrians, handing full debuts to loan signings Chuba Akpom and Michael Petrasso while bringing in Jordan Clarke to replace the ill Blair Adams.
The loan youngsters certainly kicked off their City careers with youthful enthusiasm as Petrasso used his pace to pull defenders out wide while Akpom athleticism allowed him to win balls in the air and hold up the play for the supporting midfield four.
City had the first real effort of the game after 11 minutes when Cyrus Christie whipped a troublesome low cross into the box which found its way to Franck Moussa, the midfielder getting a solid connection with the delivery but unfortunately steering the ball into the hands of Jordan Pickford.
For all of the game's energy though there was no real threat of an opener at either end until 32 minutes when the Sky Blues got themselves in front courtesy of Moussa.
A neat interchange of passes on the edge of Carlisle's area eventually fell to Conor Thomas to play the final ball through to Moussa who squeezed a finish under Pickford and give City the lead.
The goal certainly seemed to kick the Sky Blues into gear and they would have gone close to a second, again through Moussa, with eight minutes of the half to go only for a deflection to guide the ball behind.
Petrasso then registered a shot on target on 39 minutes when he latched onto a lofted ball down the left and ran at his man as he headed into the area only to finish his run with a shot straight at the feet of Pickford.
It was Christie's turn to pull the trigger with three minutes of the half to go when he picked up a crossfield ball and cut across both Matt Robson and Brad Potts before shooting low, Pickford getting down to save well at his near post.
The Cumbrians 'keeper then did superbly to deny City a second yet again as the first half ticked to a close, first when he batted away Christie's cross from just under his bar and then when he tipped Akpom's header over the bar from close range on the follow up.
Attendance: TBC
Teams
Coventry City: Murphy, Christie, Seaborne, Webster, Clarke, Baker (c), Moussa, Fleck, Thomas, Akpom, Petrasso
Subs: Burge (GK), McGeouch, Barton, Daniels, Willis, Haynes, Maund
Carlisle United: Pickford, Robson, Noble, Miller, Ekangamene, Potts, O'Hanlon (c), Redmond, Meppen-Walter, Drennan, Chimbonda
Subs: Fleming (GK), Chantler, Amoo, Symington, Byrne, Guy, Novo