COVENTRY City under-21s fell just short in their attempts to produce a stunning comeback as the young Sky Blues lost 3-2 against Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks raced into a three-goal lead early in the second half only for Coventry to mount a comeback in vain at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Goals from Josh Stidder and a trailist reduced the deficit to a single goal but the young Sky Blues ultimately ran out of time in their quest for an equaliser.
The result means Coventry sit sixth in the Professional Development League North standings with the Sky Blues on a run of four straight defeats.
Charlton broke the deadlock on 31 minutes when Ethan Brown burst down the right and saw his shot saved by Oscar Varney only for Jacob Safa to apply the finishing touch.
And the visitors doubled their lead 10 minutes later as Brown headed in Safa’s corner at the back post.
The Addicks all but sealed the points after the break on 54 minutes when Kaheim Dixon found the net to give the visitors a three-goal cushion after Varney had made a fingertip save.
However, the young Sky Blues reduced the deficit three minutes later as Stidder struck to provide a glimmer of hope.
And the home side set up a nervy finish when a trialist scrambled the ball home at a corner with three minutes left to play.
A last-ditch interception from captain Elliot Betjemann kept the Sky Blues in the contest but Charlton held on to triumph in a five-goal thriller.
Coventry’s under-21s are next in action against Watford on Friday, March 27 with kick-off at 2pm at Vicarage Road.
