City Still 15th Despite Losing

Coventry City's recent run of poor form continued against Preston North End as they went down 2-1. The result enhances Preston's chances of finishing their season in the top six, but leaves City on 47 points to stay in 15th position, but lose ground on the teams above them.

Leaders of the Championship, Wolves beat bottom club Charlton 2-1, while promotion-chasing Reading did their chances no good, losing 0-1 at home to Ipswich. Forest were comprehensively felled by rampant Burnley who ran out 5-0 winners. Coventry old boy, Gary McSheffrey, on loan from Birmingham, started for Forest but was substituted in the 75^th minute.

Former Coventry player, John Eustace was booked playing for Derby who lost 4-2 away to Sheffield United. Other Championship results were Barnsley 0 Blackpool 1; Norwich 1 Plymouth 0; Southampton 0 QPR 0; Swansea 0 Crystal Place 3; Watford 2 Sheffield Wednesday 2.

Another former Sky Blue, Lee Hughes scored Oldham's second goal which put them 2-1 up near the end of the first half at MK Dons, but the Dons ended the game comprehensively winning 6-2.

Locally, Rugby Town lost 1-0 at Evesham United whilst in the Midland Division of the Southern League, leaders Leamington won 2-0 at Barton Rovers with a 25th minute goal from Mark Bellingham and a 55th minute goal from Luke Corbett.

Bedworth United lost 1-0 at home to Leighton Town whilst former Coventry Sphinx defender James Mace scored for Atherstone in a 1-1 draw at Bury Town.

Nuneaton Town beat Malvern Town 3-1 in front of 743 fans at Liberty Stadium with goals from Justin Marsden,Rob Foster and former City youngster David Blenkinsopp.

Coventry Sphinx remain fourth in the Midland Alliance table after their 1-0 home win against Causeway United. Paul Charnley's side are fifteen points adrift of leaders Market Drayton who won 1-0 at Alvechurch.

Second place Barwell won 5-1 against Oldbury United with former Sphinx man Jamie Towers scoring.

Stratford Town lost 2-1 at Cradley Town whilst Racing Club Warwick lost by the same score at home to Oadby Town.

In the Midland Combination Premier Division, Nuneaton Griff lost 1-0 at Knowle but Massey Ferguson beat  Coton Green 3-0 thanks to a Ross hat-trick.

Southam United now top the division after a 3-1 win at Loughborough University. Gregory, Adams and Pirvu were the goal scorers for the Banbury Road based side.

In Division Three, Coventry Amateurs won 4-1 at Dosthill Colts Reserves.