The Sky Blues couldn't find the second goal as deadly Bradshaw gives the Saddlers a share of the spoils...
Coventry City were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw thanks to a second half equaliser from the visitors.
Chris Stokes had given City the lead in the first half, nodding in a Joe Cole free-kick, but Tom Bradshaw grabbed a point for the Saddlers late in the second half.
The Sky Blues made one change for the top of the table clash with Jim O’Brien coming into the side for James Maddison. Chris Stokes and Sam Ricketts continued their partnership at centre back, while new signing Peter Ramage was on the bench.
Both teams were out to win, as both sides played with a high intensity. However, the Sky Blues had the majority of possession and looked a threat every time they went forward.
In the 28th minute, City’s good play almost paid off. Following a good interchange between O’Brien and Adam Armstrong, O’Brien got into a crossing position on the right flank, playing in a teasing ball across the six-yard box, which Joe Cole narrowly missed poking in.
Six minutes later however, Mowbray’s men finally took a deserved lead. The Sky Blues had won a free-kick on the left-flank, which Cole whipped in, Armstrong knocked it on for Stokes to nod in.
City were now in the ascendancy and almost doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Armstrong played it through the legs of the defender to Cole on the edge of the area, who played it back to him with an audacious back-heel, Armstrong’s following left-footed shot was just wide of the bottom right.
Upon the restart, the Sky Blues almost scored straight away. Good play again from Armstrong saw him work himself some space, taking a shot, which looked destined for the bottom right, but the Saddlers stopper smothered it.
Mowbray’s men were on top and came close to taking the lead again in the 52nd minute. Jacob Murphy used his pace down the wing, crossing a dangerous ball in, the ball was cleared but it fell to O’Brien on the edge of the area, who placed his shot just wide.
James Maddison came on for Cole in the 65th minute and almost got that elusive second goal. After winning a free-kick, Maddison curled an effort towards the bottom right, but Neil Etheridge saved well.
Walsall pressed hard for an equaliser after that, and got one 10 minutes from time. Rico Henry whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and the Saddlers’ top-scorer Tom Bradshaw applied the finish.
The Sky Blues faithful were at top volume to push their team to victory as four minutes were added on but City had to settle for a draw and miss the opportunity to go second in League One.
Teams
Coventry City: Charles-Cook (GK), Haynes, Stokes, Ricketts, Phillips, Vincelot, Fleck, O'Brien (Fortune 82), Cole (Maddison 65), Murphy, Armstrong.
Subs: Burge (GK), Ramage, Bigirimana, Lameiras, Tudgay.
Walsall: Etheridge (GK), O'Connor, Downing, Chambers (C), Mantom, Bradshaw, Sawyers, Henry, Lalkovic (Forde 60), Kinsella (Demetriou 60), Evans (Cook 78).
Subs: MacGillivray (GK) Taylor, Preston, Morris.
Attendance: 15,671 (1,359 away)
Referee: T Harrington
Yellow Cards: Chambers