COVENTRY City failed to take advantage of a red card in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Cardiff City on New Year’s Day.
The Sky Blues fell behind to Alex Robertson’s early header only for Tatsuhiro Sakamoto to draw the visitors level shortly after half time at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Bluebirds striker Callum Robinson saw red for an elbow moments after the goal but Coventry were unable to make the extra man count.
The result means City sit 14th in the Championship table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
The Sky Blues made the worst possible start as Robertson headed Cardiff into the lead from close range after just six minutes.
Frank Lampard’s side looked to respond as Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick held Josh Eccles’ powerful low drive from just outside the penalty area.
However, the Sky Blues equalised one minute after the break as Sakamoto finished from close range after Ellis Simms’ initial effort ricocheted into the midfielder’s path.
And Cardiff striker Robinson then received a straight red card for an elbow on Coventry defender Bobby Thomas just one minute later.
The visitors almost completed the turnaround only for Alnwick to keep out Victor Torp’s shot from eight-yards foot with his foot.
Cardiff spurned a glorious chance to reclaim the lead later in the half as Oliver Dovin made a crucial stop to tip Ollie Tanner’s shot behind when one-on-one.
The Sky Blues had chances to take all three points with Alnwick only able to push Simms’ header into the path of Brandon Thomas-Asante who headed onto the roof of the net from close range.
Coventry are next in action against Norwich City on Saturday, January 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Carrow Road.
