The Sky Blues picked up an impressive victory at Doncaster on Saturday as Jordan Shipley’s long-range effort in the first half was enough to secure all three points for City.
The result means Mark Robins’ side are now seven unbeaten in all competitions and remain three points off league leaders Rotherham.
In the opening stages both teams had spells with the ball but City had the first effort of the game as Jordan Shipley floated his corner to the edge of the box to the feet of Sam McCallum who hit the ball sweetly with his left foot, however his effort was blocked in the area.
From the block, Liam Kelly found Liam Walsh 20 yards from goal, and the on-loan midfielder let fly only to see his shot whistle past Seny Dieng’s post.
McCallum came close for a second time 18 minutes in as Callum O’Hare’s cross was cleared and the ball fell to McCallum inside the Doncaster area, however he could not keep hit shot down and the ball flew over the bar.
Five minutes later Shipley called Dieng into action as he latched onto Matty Godden’s flick but his near post-strike didn’t have to power to trouble the Doncaster ‘keeper who held onto the ball.
Just minutes later Shipley did convert with his trademark left foot as he drove through the midfield and let fly from 25 yards out beating Dieng low to his left before wheeling away with the rest of the squad performing an aeroplane celebration.
After falling behind, Doncaster looked to commit more bodies forward and after a succession of corners Reece James’ shot from distance was well blocked by Kyle McFadzean and the resulting corner was cleared minutes from half time.
Half time: Doncaster 0-1 Sky Blues
Inside the first minute of the second half Fankaty Dabo played a good one-two with Liam Walsh before crossing the ball into the area where Godden was waiting to flick the ball goalward however his effort bounced off Joe Wright into the gloves of Dieng.
At the other end, James Coppinger beat the offside trap and chipped a shot which looked destined for the far corner however Michael Rose leapt high to head the ball off the line and over the bar.
Marko Marosi was then called into action as Jon Taylor tried his luck but Marosi was equal to it and held the ball well nine minutes into the second half.
After soaking up Doncaster pressure, the Sky Blues broke with the ball after a great piece of defending from Dom Hyam as O’Hare drove forward and let fly from 25 yards only to see his effort cannon back off the post.
Max Biamou and Zain Westbrooke were bought on ten minutes from the end to replace O’Hare and Godden who didn’t stop running all afternoon.
Despite having a lot of the ball in the second half, Doncaster were unable to create any clear-cut chances and the Sky Blues held on for an important three points at the Keep Moat Stadium.
Full time: Doncaster 0-1 Sky Blues
Goals: Jordan Shipley 27’.
Yellows: Ben Sheaf 55’, Sam McCallum 65’, Marko Marosi 87’.
Attendance: 9527 (1902 Sky Blue army)
Sky Blues XI: Marko Marosi (GK), Fankaty Dabo, Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam, Michael Rose, Sam McCallum, Liam Walsh, Liam Kelly (C), Jordan Shipley (Jamie Allen 67’), Callum O’Hare (Zain Westbrooke 81’), Matty Godden (Max Biamou 81’)
Unused subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Josh Pask, Brandon Mason, Amadou Bakayoko.
Doncaster XI: Seny Dieng (GK), Brad Halliday, Reece James, Tom Anderson, Joe Wright, Ben Sheaf, Kieran Sadlier (Rakish Bingham 46’), Ben Whiteman (C), Jon Taylor, James Coppinger, Niall Ennis.
Unused subs: Ian Lawlor (GK), Madger Gomes, Danny Amos, Matty Blair, Max Watters, Cameron John.