THE SKY Blues made a welcome return to winning ways at home to promotion hopefuls Millwall on Saturday and manager Tony Mowbray feels his players must continue to show supporters that they remain hungry for every point.
A fourth win in 18 matches was a welcome relief for supporters who have seen any hopes of the Sky Blues making the play-offs dashed in recent months.
But against a Millwall side who spent much of the game playing with ten men, the home support witnessed a fightback which saw Mowbray’s side come from behind to claim all three points.
Bryon Webster had fired the visitors in front but John Fleck’s goal of the season contender got the hosts back on level terms before Marcus Tudgay’s fifth goal of the campaign was enought to secure the win.
“We managed to see the game home and on balance of play, I think we deserved the victory,” said Mowbray.
“Its never easy to play against ten men, which we had to do for a hour, but I thought we played really well against them. We had total control until we went 2-1 up and then it became a bit nervous.
“Its almost like you have to learn how to win again, as we haven’t been winning. I thought in the last 20 minutes of the first half we had some great opportunities to score.
“We have to see if we can finish strong. It is important the supporters of our club know we are still fighting for every point and I thought the team generally showed that. We applied the talent we have at our disposal and managed to get the points.
“It was an amazing goal from Fleck which we know he can do, and I don’t know exactly what Tudgay’s minutes to goal ratio is, but it is pretty good this season and I am delighted he got on the scoresheet.”
Aaron Phillips almost got his name on the scorehseet for the first time this season with 13 minutes gone but his volley flew narrowly wide of the post before the visitors went ahead six minutes later when Webster headed a Shane Ferguson free kick past Reice Charles-Cook.
Former England ace Joe Cole thought he has equalised but his effort was ruled out because of an offise infringement.
A pivitol moment in the match came shortly before the half-hour mark. Shaun Williams looked to have struck winger Ruben Lameiras and following a scrap in the centre of the pitch the Millwall player was sent off.
James maddison was unlucky with a left-footed shot just before the break and Lameiras sent a volley wide as the Sky Blues searched for a way back into the match.
The moment came in some style on the hour mark when Fleck was urged to shoot from long range and he did just that by beating Jordan Archer with a superb 25-yard strike which flew into the top corner of the net.
With 20 minutes remaining Mowbray’s side completed the comeback with Tudgay sliding the ball past the visiting goalkeeper to the elation of the home support.
Despite being down to ten men, Millwall created chances to earn a point but Charles-Cook was in exceptional form and the young goalkeeper made a late diving save to deny Joseph Martin and earn the Sky Blues their first win at home since mid-February.
