A first half header from Liam Truslove gave the visitors the win on a tough day at Ryton-on-Dunsmore...
Coventry City Under-21s lost 1-0 to Birmingham City at Ryton thanks to a first half header from Liam Truslove. Ryan Haynes came closest for City when he hit a free kick from the edge of the area just over the bar.Five players from the Under 18s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield on Saturday including Devon Kelly-Evans and Ben Stevenson came straight into the side.
The Sky Blues had the first chance of the game after 11 minutes. A good jinking run from Shaun Miller opened up an opportunity and produced a good save from Nick Townsend in the Blues goal.
Birmingham almost had a chance after a quarter of an hour when Liam Truslove had the ball in the area but a fantastic block from Ben Stevenson denied him.
Viv Solomon-Otabor was next to be presented a chance when he cut inside for Birmingham two minutes later, but he cut his shot just wide of the post.
The visitors took the lead just before the half hour mark. Solomon-Otabor got to the byline and cut a ball back, with Truslove there to head the ball home.
It was tough on City, who nearly responded five minutes later when Miller had a shot from the edge of the area that whistled just past the right hand post.
Birmingham nearly made it 2-0 when Reece Brown ran from half way to the edge of the area and shot just wide.
City nearly got the equaliser five minutes before half time. A well worked corner routine found Devon Kelly-Evans at the far post, but he shot straight at Townsend.
That was the last action of a frustrating first half for City.
The second period started fast as the game got slightly more cagey when Shaun Miller picked up a yellow card.
With 20 minutes to go Haynes put a free kick just over the bar from the edge of the area, with Townsend beaten.
Brown reminded City of Birmingham's threat when he flashed an effort wide with minutes to go, as the Sky Blues pushed for an equaliser.
The Sky Blues pushed for an equaliser but it was not to be and matters now focus on the next game for the Under-21s, away to Barnsley next Monday.
Teams
CoventryCity: Burge (c), Whitmore (Shipley 45'), Haynes, Lawton, Harries, Thomas (Maycock 81'), Dev. Kelly-Evans, Stevenson, Miller, Barton, Swanson.
Subs: Richards, Sambou, Barnett.
BirminghamCity: Townsend (c), Cogley, Bell, Balmy, Fry, Kelly, Solomon-Otabor, Truslove, Mitford, Brown, Guthmy.
Subs: Armstrong, Trueman, McGee, Yafai.