ELLIS Simms came off the bench to score the winner as Coventry City secured a 1-0 win at Bristol City in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Simms scored the only goal of the game on 65 minutes at Ashton Gate to send the Sky Blues through to the second round of the competition.
The second round draw takes place tonight at around 10.15pm following the conclusion of the first round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Bristol created the first chance of the game when the ball dropped to Mark Sykes in the penalty area only for a Coventry defender to bravely throw himself in front of the shot.
City responded with a chance of their own as Kasey Palmer won possession in the Bristol half before driving into the box and lashing an effort narrowly wide.
And the visitors went close again as a home defender deflected Victor Torp’s dangerous driven ball behind for a corner.
The Robins then won possession deep in the Coventry half and created a chance for Nahki Wells who drilled wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Sky Blues goalkeeper Ben Wilson made an excellent double save to keep the scores level as he first denied Wells low down to his right before quickly spreading himself to keep out Sam Bell’s follow-up.
And Wilson made another crucial stop later in the half to push Fally Mayulu’s effort behind for a corner after the home side pounced on a loose pass.
City improved after the break as Brandon Thomas-Asante cut in from the right and fired a low effort towards the bottom right corner with Robins goalkeeper Stefan Bajic equal to the shot.
However, the Sky Blues broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when Simms produced a clinical finish into the bottom left corner from Palmer’s through ball just moments after coming off the bench.
The home side had a chance to draw level as Anis Mehmeti drilled a shot towards goal from 25-yards out as Wilson made another smart stop.
And the Robins spurned a golden chance to equalise late on when a corner from the right found Zak Vyner only for the defender to blaze over from four-yards out.
Coventry are next in action against Oxford United on Friday, August 16 with kick-off at 8pm at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
