COVENTRY City under-21s suffered a penalty shootout defeat against Tamworth in the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup.
The young Sky Blues took an early lead courtesy of Ryan Howley’s goal only for former Coventry striker Jordan Ponticelli to draw the home side level at the Lamb Ground.
Neither team could find a winner in the second half as the game went to penalties.
And Tamworth goalkeeper Leon Phillips saved two penalties in the shootout to deny Coventry’s youngsters a place in the final.
The Sky Blues broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark as Howley rifled a shot into the corner of the goal after Phillips could only parry an initial effort into the scorer’s path.
However, Tamworth equalised just six minutes later when Ponticelli poked a shot under Coventry goalkeeper Daniel Rachel as he attempted to close the space to the Tamworth striker.
The game eventually went to penalties with all of the first five spot kicks scored.
However, Phillips then kept out Kai Yearn’s effort with his legs to give Tamworth the advantage.
The home side scored their next penalty which meant Coventry had to find the net to keep the cup tie alive.
However, Phillips saved Isaac Moore’s effort from the spot to deny the Sky Blues a place in the final.
