Coventry Sphinx remembered former player and manager Willie Knibbs with a last gasp 3-2 home victory against Coleshill Town.
A minute's silence was impeccably observed by those in attendance at Sphinx Drive, to mark the anniversary of Willie's death seven years ago whilst travelling back from an away cup win at Meir KA and they witnessed a first half not helped by the very strong wind blowing around the ground.
Sphinx, who had Jamie Towers back in their side and the winger, who was allowed to play by Leamington,almost put Paul Charnley's side ahead in the 17th with a powerful 25 yard effort.
Coleshill's keeper Chris Butler made two cracking saves in the first half. He firstly denied Jerome Murdock in the 22nd minute and on the stroke of half-time, a David Care cross was turned towards his own goal by Neil Kitchings. Somehow, Butler got a hand to push the ball over the bar for a corner.
The game needed a goal but it was the Warwickshire side promoted from the Midland Combination last season who scored it thank to Matty Robinson breaking away and using the wind to loft the ball over Carl O'Neill in the 67th minute.
Sphinx's reply was immediate, Butler scrambled away a shot from Murdock after good work from Thacker and when Sphinx next attacked in the 70th miunute, Jerome Murdock was held by a defender and referee Mr Blackmore awarded a penalty.
Tom Thacker took the kick and just beat the hands of Butler to level the match. Sphinx were lifted by the goal and then went on to get a second. Jerome Murdock raced through and as Butler came out, the Sphinx striker slotted the ball low into the net.
In the 83rd minute, there was controversy as Coleshill were awarded a penalty. Terry Ward was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the penalty area. Carl Adams was seen to use his elbow and after consultating his assistant, Mr Blackmore awarded a penalty.
Matt Kitchings took the first spot kick which just beat O'Neill but spotted an encroachment and ordered a re-take from which Kitchings duly scored from.
The drama was not over as in the third minute of stoppage time, Man Of The Match Callum Woodward got down the left and hit a shot from twenty five yards which flew into the net to give Sphinx a win which keeps their hopes of promotion to the Southern League alive.
Sphinx
O'Neill,McAteer,Woodward, Caggini,Ward,Kay,Care (Owen 63),Rhodes (Halton 69), Thacker (Mead 77),Towers, Murdock.
HT CSFC 0-0 CTFC FT CSFC 3-2 CTFC
Goals Matty Robinson (67), Tom Thacker (70 pen), Jerome Murdock (75), Neil Kitchings (83 pen), Callum Woodward (90 +3)
Coventry Sphinx Reserves drew 1-1 at Walsall Wood.