JAMIE Paterson’s late volley earned Coventry City a dramatic 1-0 win against Portsmouth as the Sky Blues moved back into the play-off places.
Paterson struck four minutes into injury time to seal a late victory for Frank Lampard’s side at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The result means Coventry sit sixth in the Championship table, two points clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off place.
City felt they should have had a penalty early on when Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s curling shot appeared to hit the arm of Portsmouth midfielder Andre Dozzell.
Pompey almost took the lead at the other end as Regan Poole headed a corner against the underside of the crossbar from close range.
Sky Blues midfielder Jack Rudoni then had a shot blocked before heading Milan van Ewijk’s outside of the foot cross inches past the post.
City went close in the final minute as Liam Kitching saw his header from a corner pushed off the line by Pompey goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
However, the Sky Blues won the game at the death when Portsmouth failed to deal with Bradley Collins’ long kick and Rudoni floated a cross to the back post as Paterson sent a stunning volley into the right corner of the goal to spark wild scenes of celebration.
Paterson scored his first goal for his boyhood club since joining City on a free transfer in February.
Coventry are next in action against Hull City on Monday, April 14 with kick-off at 8pm at the MKM Stadium.
