Coventry City Ladies coach Craig Nicholls felt that his side were not at their best but was pleased that City recorded a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Speaking to Matty Roper, Nicholls said: "We knew today would be a battle and we worked hard for the full 90 minutes. I think we created opportunities again but some just didn't fall in our favour."
"I was a bit disappointed by the fact that we were dragged down in some aspects of our play today but the players share that disappointment and that shows great attitude and desire to reach the standards we set at this club.
"It's another three points though which we've had to grind out, and to win when we weren't at our best is a sign of a good side."
Report
The Sky Blues travelled away to Nottingham Forest Ladies on the back of a 5-0 win against Blackburn Rovers the week previous. City were looking to extend their winning sequence and widen the gap at the top of FA Women's Premier League table.
Coventry got off to a fairly shaky start with the home side looking fired up as they pressed high out of possession in attempt to rustle the Sky Blues. The first chance of the affair fell to Forest after 5 minutes after good build up, Andrea Bell dragging her effort just wide after an accurate forward pass from Annabel McKechnie.
This missed opportunity seemed to spark the away side in to life however, and Coventry began to play some brilliant passing football. Just one minute later and City went close, sharp interchange allowed Amber Hughes space out wide, she then crossed to Helen Dermody whose dipping headed effort was grasped by the home goalkeeper.
Another header from Destiney Toussaint dropped just wide on 11 minutes before City did open the scoring 5 minutes later. A slick pass from Ashleigh Neville picked out Katie Lowder who controlled magnificently, she then sprayed the ball to Amber Hughes and the winger drove in to the area before crossing to Helen Dermody who the headed Coventry in to the lead. 1-0 Coventry.
City were enjoying the lion's share of possession now as they looked to gain real control of the game. Chances were starting to come with more frequency, Maz Gauntlett saw an effort blocked after a mix up in the Forest area before Callan Barber struck over from 25 yards just before the half hour mark.
Forest kept on digging deep as their defence continued to thwart City's attack to long range efforts and keep the score at 1-0. Three chances were passed by from the away side before the break though with Callan Barber flashing an effort just wide, Maz Gauntlett having a shot stopped by the 'keeper and Nikki Miles heading just over from a corner.
Half Time: Nottingham Forest LFC 0-1 Coventry City LFC
The second half turned out to be a much more uneventful affair with chances coming along a lot less often. Nottingham Forest seemed to drop off and allow City to settle in possession, and the away side looked comfortable in keeping the ball. It was on 57 minutes when the first chance of the half came about, a neat one-two between Helen Dermody and Katie Lowder allowed Dermody to fire an effort goal bound but the goalkeeper held on.
City created another scoring opportunity on 64 minutes as Maz Gauntlett curled wide, the game then slowed down again before Forest had two great chances to salvage a point in the final 15 minutes. The first came on 76 minutes with Natasha Meade volleying a pass through to Andrea Bell who fired over from 12 yards. The second came after another few missed chances from Coventry, Andrea Bell was slipped through again from a slick pass and the Striker found herself in a one-on-one duel with City 'keeper Sue Wood who saved low with her feet to ensure the Sky Blues gained another three points.
Full Time: Nottingham Forest LFC 0-1 Coventry City LFC