The Sky Blues Under-23s made it five unbeaten in the Professional Development League with a 0-0 draw against Millwall at the Alan Higgs Centre.
A point against the Lions kept City second in the PDL and within two points of league leaders Watford, with a game in hand for Luke Tisdale’s side.
City had chances to win the game against Millwall, with David Bremang missing a penalty and Jack Burroughs going close late on.
Reflecting on the game after the final whistle, Tisdale was pleased to keep a clean sheet but was left scratching his head to how his side didn’t score late on.
He said: “It was very pleasing for us defensively to keep a clean sheet because they’re hard to come by in under-23s football and we’ve spoken to the group about getting more and they worked hard for it and I thought the back four defended really well.
“It was a tough first half for us, we gave up a lot of possession but the back four did well and considering we still have Joe Newton at left centre-back, a square peg in a round hole, he’s giving everything for the group and he deserves a lot of credit for his attitude and application, but overall I’m happy with the clean sheet.
“I thought we were going to win it from our second half performance. We had to ride the storm in the first half because they had some really experienced players on the pitch, who have played international football and hundreds of games in the championship, so that was a good test for us.
“In the second half, the introduction of Jack Burroughs added that athleticism we needed and I’m not sure how he hasn’t scored, and I guess he will probably be thinking the same.
“I thought we looked bright and lively on the counter-attack and that was important as well and the chances we created, on another day we score three or four of those.”
Despite the Sky Blues going close late on and having a spot-kick saved, they also had Tom Billson to thank for a superb save himself from the spot, as he denied George Alexander.
“It was great for him to save the penalty and I’m sure he will be buzzing with that.
“You can see his footwork is improving a lot and him and Aled work hard every day on that side of his game and you can see that coming out in the games because he’s passing it and receiving it well.”
The result against Millwall also saw the Sky Blues welcome the return of captain Morgan Williams, who had been out for the last few weeks.
The centre-back picked up a bizarre injury against Crystal Palace back at the start of February and Tisdale was delighted to welcome him back into the fold.
“It was Morgan’s first game back in a while and he’s had to play with a gum shield because he’s two front teeth are hanging off and it speaks volumes that he’s been asking to play and asking to play without the gum shield, just because he wants to get back into it and play football.
“At the Palace game a few weeks ago, Morgan fell over and banged his teeth on the floor on the way down which dislodged both of his front teeth and that wasn’t too bad initially, but as it transpired he had a really bad infection and his face swelled up and he was off for nine or ten days and luckily he didn’t need an operation.
“Him and Declan Drysdale are outstanding leaders in the 23s group and whilst they’ve been out, Bouwe has come in and done great job for us.
“We hope to have Declan back with us next week as he has also been out with a rib injury and they both will be big boosts to the side when they return.”