COVENTRY Sphinx missed the chance to move clear of danger after slipping to a 1-0 home defeat against AFC Rushden and Diamonds.
Sphinx had a late penalty saved after former Football League midfielder John-Joe O’Toole’s early goal put the Diamonds ahead at the Cameron Slater Arena.
And the result means Coventry sit 17th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table, one point above the relegation zone.
The game’s only goal came after just 12 minutes when veteran midfielder O’Toole turned home Bruno Andrade’s corner.
However, Sphinx spurned a golden chance to equalise from the penalty spot on 79 minutes as Rushden goalkeeper Ben Heath made the save.
A 15-minute delay in the second half, due to an injury to the referee, led to almost 20 minutes of injury time with Sphinx still unable to find a leveller.
Coventry are next in action against Rugby Town on Saturday, February 21 with kick-off at 3pm at the Cameron Slater Arena.
