COVENTRY Sphinx surrendered an early lead in a 3-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Boldmere St Michaels.
Gio Dainty’s goal after just 52 seconds put Sphinx ahead only for Boldmere to level before the break and then strike twice more in the second half at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground.
And the result means Coventry sit 17th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table, three points above the relegation zone.
Sphinx made the perfect start when Dainty smashed home a loose ball from close range inside the first minute after Callum Smith kept out Leo Brown’s initial effort.
And the visitors almost doubled their lead as Brown saw his curling effort saved before Sphinx goalkeeper Keelan Fallows tipped a free-kick over the crossbar at the other end.
Boldmere were denied by Fallows again later in the half before a deflected shot drifted wide of the Sphinx goal.
And the home side eventually drew level on 41 minutes as Daniel Gyasi sent a superb free-kick into the top corner shortly before half time.
Sphinx spurned a glorious chance to restore their lead at the start of the second period as Joe Pursey failed to keep his shot down after a lovely passing move.
Boldmere completed the turnaround on 57 minutes when Owen Parry showed great composure to finish past Fallows from a simple ball in behind the Sphinx defence.
The visitors competed well throughout but almost fell further behind as Fallows made a terrific reflex save from point-blank range before Boldmere twice hit the post from the resulting corner.
And the home side sealed the points in the final minute of regulation time as Ben Usher-Shipway drove a low free-kick past Fallows with Sphinx now winless in their last nine games in all competitions.
Coventry are next in action at home to Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday, December 2 with kick-off at 3pm at the Sphinx Industrial Supplies Arena.
