COVENTRY United tasted FA Cup heartache after being knocked out of the competition by local side Bedworth United, but they proved they can mix it with the best in the Midland Premier League after bouncing back to earn a point at Shepshed Dynamo.
A crowed of almost 350 people watched United put up a brave fight but eventually they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first qualifying round.
Robert Prinzel had a free kicked well saved before Bedworth went in front with seven gone when Jordan Archer beat Richard Norris with a decent finish.
The hosts were dealt a blow after former Coventry City midfielder Kevin Thornton was replaced by Adam Bilic because of an injury.
Coventry United applied pressure for a good period of the first half, with Coventry debutant, Jamie Newton, directing a header just over the Bedworth bar, and both Joshua O’Grady and Chris Cox came close but they were unable to find a breakthrough.
Both teams applied pressure in the second half and United skipper Chris Cox had to be alert to make an important clearance from Kieron Brehon’s corner.
Bedworth doubled their lead when Daniel Creaney raced through the Coventry defence before coolly sliding the ball past Richard Morris in United’s goal.
The visiting goalkeeper kept out shots from Kai Williams and Josh O’Grady before the hosts were dealt a further blow in the 75th minute as Robert Prinzel was sent off for bringing down Bedworth’s Daniel Creaney on the edge of the area.
A late chance in the 77th minute saw United awarded an indirect free kick in the penalty area after captain Chris Cox was obstructed but the resulting free kick went high and wide of the target.
United had quick chance to bounce back on Tuesday evening when they visited Shepshed Dynamo.
The hosts had the first chance of the match in the third minute but Adam Hohn headed Josh Morrall’s cross over bar and six minutes later Ben Haseley shot narrowly over the bar.
Richard Norris made a smart save to deny Haseley and Liam Hurst struck the post as the host continued to make a bright star.
Gift Mussa shot wide of the target for United before the opening goal came against the run of play on 21 minutes when Kai Williams was put through on goal and beat the home goalkeeper with a neat finish.
Adrian Boitos hit an effort narrowly wide of the target and Robert Prinzel had to be quick to stop a scoring opportunity but United held a slender lead at the break.
Just two minutes after the break the home side pulled level thanks to Haseley who fired home unmarked inside the area.
On the hour mark Shepshed went ahead for the first time in the match when Haseley beat Morris with a clever shot after the home side put plenty of pressure on the United defence.
Despite falling behind the visitors showed plenty of passion and were soon back on level terms in the 64th minutes thanks to a deflected shot by Gift Mussa.
As the second half ticked away both teams cancelled each other out. The hosts had the better of the chances but the scoreline remained 2-2 at the final whistle.