The Sky Blues exit the Carabao Cup on penalties against Gillingham at Priestfield.
The game looked to have been won in 90 minutes through Max Biamou’s header, but Jordan Graham scored from the spot in injury time and the Gills went on to win the penalty shoot-out.
City started brightly and had a chance after just 45 seconds when some build-up play between Bakayoko and Bapaga in the middle, eventually saw the ball played out wide to Dabo and his ball was met by Bapaga on the volley, but his shot sailed over the bar.
The Sky Blues should’ve had the opening goal on 14 minutes, when a through ball by Michael Rose released Bakayoko and as he looked for the bottom corner, Jack Bonham saved well.
It was déjà vu for City as minutes later it was the same again but different personnel, as Bapaga slid the ball through for Tyler Walker, but this time his shot came back off the inside of the post.
The hosts first effort on goal came from Jordan Graham who tried his luck from distance with a free-kick, but his shot went over the bar.
HALF-TIME: GILLINGHAM 0-0 SKY BLUES
Following the restart, Bapaga started how he had ended the first half, causing the Gillingham defence trouble and he was at it again, being brought down on the edge of the area and Ben Sheaf stepped up, but his set-piece was saved by Bonham.
At the other end, Matty Willock came close to an opener when he flicked on Graham’s ball, but his header didn’t find the target and went over.
The Sky Blues would eventually take the lead and it was substitute Max Biamou who came on for the injured Bapaga and he was on the end of a superb cross by Brandon Mason and his header left Jack Bonham with no chance.
Gillingham looked to get back into the game and they went close through Scott Robertson, but his shot went wide of Tom Billson’s post.
After a spell of around 30 passes by the Sky Blues, the ball eventually broke out left for Bakayoko and he found the run of Walker, but his shot went into the side netting.
City looked to put the game to bed and Josh Eccles had a pop from range, and he could only watch on as his shot went wide.
With seconds left on the clock, Gillingham were awarded a penalty, which Jordan Graham converted to send the game to penalties.
FULL-TIME: GILLINGHAM 1-1 SKY BLUES
PENALTIES:
SKY BLUES – 4
GILLINGHAM - 5
Goals: Max Biamou 60’, Jordan Graham 94’
Yellows: Will Bapaga, Amadou Bakayoko, Scott Robertson, Brandon Mason
Sky Blues Xl: Tom Billson (GK), Fankaty Dabo (79’ Burroughs), Declan Drysdale, Michael Rose (C), Jordon Thompson, Brandon Mason, Josh Eccles, Ben Sheaf, Will Bapaga (56’ Biamou), Tyler Walker, Amadou Bakayoko.
Unused Subs: Cian Tyler (GK), Morgan Williams, Marcel Hilssner, Dan Lafferty, Gervane Kastaneer.
Gillingham Xl: Jack Bonham (GK), Ryan Jackson, Connor Ogilvie, Stuart O’Keefe (C) (45’ Mellis), Jack Tucker, Vadaine Oliver, Matty Willock (71’ Coyle), Alex MacDonald (61’ McKenzie), Christian Maghoma, Scott Robertson, Jordan Graham.
Unused Subs: Joe Walsh (GK), Zech Medley, John Akinde, Henry Woods.