MATTY Shipman’s late goal earned Coventry Sphinx a crucial 1-0 away win at 10-man Cambridge City as Sphinx ended their eight-game winless run in the league.
Shipman struck two minutes from time to seal the points for Sphinx after Stefan Broccoli saw red for Cambridge on 33 minutes at Westwood Road.
And the result means Coventry sit 16th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table, three points clear of the relegation zone.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock in the opening few minutes as Callum Woodward smashed a free-kick against the crossbar on his return to the starting line-up after nine weeks out through injury.
And the game turned on 33 minutes when Broccoli became entangled with Sphinx’s Louis Guest following an accidental collision and lashed out in the ensuing melee to receive a straight red card.
Sphinx looked to make the most of the man advantage as Shipman clipped the top of the crossbar before Jac Redhead fired wide of the target at the end of the first half.
Chances were at a premium in the second period as Cambridge goalkeeper Joe Welch kept out Redhead’s powerful effort from a tight angle.
However, Sphinx eventually found a way through with two minutes left to play as Shipman fired home into the top corner from Redhead’s pass.
The visitors went close to a second goal at the death as substitute Jamal Adams hit the base of the post before the final whistle sounded as Sphinx secured a crucial win on the road.
Sphinx are next in action at home to Gresley Rovers on Saturday, December 16 with kick-off at 3pm at Sphinx Industrial Supplies Arena.
