Two goals from the spot for Marc McNulty sealed a 2-0 victory over MK Dons at Liberty Way...
Liam Kelly was fouled just inside the area to win the first spot-kick for the Sky Blues but it was McNulty’s hard work that earned the second just after half-time.
The first chance of the evening came the way of McNulty, nearly beating Lee Nicholls to a short back-pass. Nicholls’ hurried clearance deflected back off McNulty and sailed inches over the empty net.
Five minutes later and the Sky Blues were given a chance to take the lead from the spot. Chris Stokes found Kelly just inside the area who with a single touch drew a foul from Ousseynou Cisse. McNulty stepped up to calmly fire high to the keepers left. Coventry had the lead.
The Dons almost managed an instant response courtesy of Ryan Seager, who found space on the edge of the area, but O’Brien reacted well to save his low effort.
Peter Pawlett came close for MK on the half hour mark. His turn of pace took him away from Jordan Willis before he fired his shot just over the bar. O’Brien did looked to have had it covered.
Keiran Agard’s pace was obvious for all to see at Liberty Way, and the former Rotherham forward nearly found himself on the scoresheet but could only fire his powerful effort whistling past the near post.
Just before the break the Sky Blues looked certain to have doubled their lead. Jack Grimmer’s ball from the right side found Maxime Biamou free in the area but the forward signed from Sutton this summer could only force a brilliant save from Nicholls.
Half time saw two changes for the Sky Blues. Darragh Leahy replaced Chris Stokes, while Peter Vincenti made way for Kwame Thomas for new look left side.
MK Dons started the second half the brighter, but it was City who would double their advantage. A searching ball from defence found McNulty again breaking down the left side and charging his way deep into the penalty area before being pulled down by Ebanks-Landell. McNulty picked himself up and found the bottom corner from the spot to his and the Sky Blues’ tally.
As the second half progressed Ben Stevenson, Darragh Leahy, Jordan Ponticelli and Kwame Thomas were all given valuable minutes, as well as Lee Burge who replaced O’Brien.
Thomas was inches away from making an instant impact, getting on the end of Leahy’s pin-point cross his acrobatic effort flew just outside of the near post.
Attendance: 983
Teams:
Coventry City: O'Brien (GK) (Burge 62'), Grimmer (Di. Kelly-Evans 77'), Willis (Pearson 77'), McDonald (Hyam 77'), Stokes (Leahy 45'), Kelly (Stevenson 60'), Doyle (C) (Shipley 77'), Vincenti (K.Thomas 45'), McNulty (Beavon 60'), Dev. Kelly-Evans (Finn 77'), Biamou (Ponticelli 67').
MK Dons XI: Nicholls (GK), Williams, Ebanks-L, Walsh, Lewington (C), Pawlett, McGrandles, Cisse, Ariyibi, Seagers.
MK Dons Subs: Sietsma (GK), Downing, Rasulo, Brittain, Asante, Bird, Trialist.