FOOTBALL: COVENTRY City’s four-game unbeaten league run came to an end on Saturday afternoon following a 1-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley.
Mark Robins’ men travelled north hoping to solidify their League Two playoff position, but instead slipped to seventh following Sean McConville’s first half strike.
Though it was only the Sky Blues’ seventh goal conceded in the league this season, the loss proved enough to leave Coventry just a point clear of eighth placed Swindon Town.
The home side nearly took the lead early on when eventual goalscorer McConville saw a long-range strike hit the crossbar.
In-form forward Duckens Nazon went close from range before Jodi Jones’ floated effort went over the bar.
McConville then bagged what proved to be the game’s only goal when linking up well with Accrington’s midfield before slotting past City keeper Lee Burge.
Nazon continued to have chances – from long and close range – but Accrington’s defence held out, forcing Sky Blues’ fourth league loss this season.
Manager Mark Robins said: ” I don’t think we got to grips with them.
“When you lose a game with more support in the stadium than the home side it is ridiculous.
“We have got a problem to solve away from home. The only thing that I will say about it is we have to take those chances, even if those chances are half chances of less.
“There are decent balls being sent into the area and we are not taking them.
“It puts pressure on us when we do not take chances. And then we end up having to deal with that.”
The Sky Blues were without Liam Kelly on Saturday.
The former Leyton Orient midfielder was struggling with a foot injury and failed a late fitness test, meaning Ben Stevenson came on in his place.
Robins said: “Liam was a massive loss, but we have to live with it.
“All teams have injuries and suspensions. We know he is a big miss in this kind of game.
“He travelled and trained yesterday because he really wanted to try and be fit but he just was not right.
“We did not want to put him at risk and in the end he was a big miss.”
