COVENTRY City claimed a deserved point in a 1-1 draw against Southampton despite playing almost the entirety of the second half with 10-men.
The Sky Blues took the lead courtesy of Ephron Mason-Clark’s header shortly before half time only for Jay Dasilva to see red for the visitors for a dangerous challenge early in the second period.
Saints drew level when Nathan Wood found the net on 56 minutes but withstood further pressure from the side to come away with a point.
Frank Lampard’s side now lead the Championship table by six points.
Saints spurned the game’s first chance as Adam Armstrong dragged a shot wide from 20-yards out.
And Rushworth then stuck out a leg to deny Leo Scienza after Saints intercepted Jack Rudoni’s stray pass.
The Sky Blues felt aggrieved just past the half-hour mark when Taylor Harwood-Bellis appeared to bundle Haji Wright to the ground in the box with the striker through on goal with the referee unmoved.
City then forced Gavin Bazunu into his first meaningful save as the Saints stopper pushed Josh Eccles’ effort behind before Joel Latibeaudiere hooked a shot over from the resulting corner.
However, the Sky Blues broke the deadlock one minute before half time as Victor Torp floated a cross into the box from the right and Mason-Clark guided a header into the bottom right corner unmarked from eight-yards out.
The game turned two minutes after the break when Dasilva received a straight red card for a dangerous studs up challenge on Welington.
And Saints equalised on 56 minutes when Wood rose highest to meet Armstrong’s cross into the box from the left from six-yards out.
Rushworth then produced a save low down to his right to deny Finn Azaz before keeping out another effort from Armstrong later in the second period.
The Coventry goalkeeper made another flying save to keep out Ryan Manning’s powerful effort as the Sky Blues held firm to come away with a deserved point.
Tempers boiled over after the full time whistle while Sky Blues boss Lampard passionately showed his appreciation of the travelling away supporters.
