IT TURNED out to be a weekend to forget for Coventry after traffic problems and poor discipline all contributed towards Saturday’s 29-21 defeat at Darlington Mowden Park in National League One.
A fatal crash on the long journey up north meant the team did not arrive until 4am on Saturday morning but head coach refused to abortion any blame for the defeat on the far from ideal build up.
Instead he vented more frustration at receiving three yellow cards and an unacceptable penalty count which all contributed towards a second consecutive defeat at the Darlington Arena.
“The boys gave their all, I thought they went particularly well,” commented Morgan.
“I know they are deeply disappointed, but the good work was undone by the discipline and clearly we have to look at that and just get to the bottom of what is happening.”
Devlin Hope broke off from a line out early on to give Coventry the lead with the swirling wind defeating Matt Jones’ conversion attempt.
But Coventry’s first offside infringement lead to Darren Fearn crossing and Garry Law converted to put the hosts ahead.
Jones scored a penalty to put Coventry back in front again before Rob Conquest forced his way over the line from another driving line-out which Law successfully converted.
Law completed the first half scoring with both Sam Pailor and Chad Thorne receiving yellow cards.
Early in the second half a Matt Jones penalty cut the home side’s lead before Rory Hutchinson finished off a decisive break by skipper Wayne Evans for his maiden club try and Jones converted to put Coventry back in front.
A yellow card to George Oliver did not look to have changed the outlook of the game with Jones scoring a penalty to increase the visitors’ lead.
But Coventry were victims of a baffling decision when they were denied a penalty at the scrum and Park went down the other end to scroe, with Simon Uzokwe claiming the first of his two tries, the second of which was convertedby Law to deny the visitors a bonus point.
Up next for Coventry is a home clash against Blackheath (3pm).
