COVENTRY Sphinx suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against league leaders Carlton Town as the club’s winless run stretched to four matches.
Sphinx drew level through Kyle Carey’s goal in the first half only for Carlton to strike either side of the break at the Cameron Slater Arena to take control of the game.
A late goal from Ryley Nicholson kept Sphinx in the contest with the home side unable to find an equaliser in the remaining minutes.
The result means Coventry sit 12th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table.
Carlton broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when recent signing Huw Dawson put the visitors ahead.
However, Sphinx equalised on 39 minutes as Carey fired a first time shot into the bottom left corner from Harvey Smith’s cutback.
The visitors reclaimed the lead in style four minutes later when Niall Hylton produced an acrobatic finish to turn home a cross from the left.
And Carlton extended their advantage on 55 minutes as Lamin Manneh put the visitors in command.
Sphinx halved the deficit three minutes from time when Nicholson headed into the bottom right corner from close range with the home side unable to find a leveller.
Coventry Sphinx are next in action against Aston Villa in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Wednesday, December 3 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Cameron Slater Arena.
