CRAWLEY TOWN 1-2 COVENTRY CITY
City: Burge, Willis, Johnson, Martin, Stokes, Fleck, Ward, Barton (Maddison 54) O'Brien (Webster 92), Proschwitz (Nouble 60) Tudgay. Subs: Charles-Cook, Webster, Jackson, Odelusi, Phillips.
Crawley: Jensen, Tomlin, Ward, Bradley. Pogba. Youga (Edward 84), Young (Oybanjo 70), Elliott, Fowler, Simpson (Banline 84), McLeod.
Subs: Price, Smith, Morgan, Harrold.
HT CTFC 0-0 CCFC
FT CTFC 1-2 CCFC
ATT 5724
Referee S.Martin
Goals Mathias Pogba 48, Marcus Tudgay 72, James Maddison 90
----------------------
Coventry City will be back in League One next season after a 2-1 win at Crawley Town.
The final game of the season, a chance to relax after a long season and enjoy one final away game. Don't you believe it. Coventry City had still not secured their place in League One and had to travel to Crawley Town still needing a result of some kind or hoping that other results went their way if they were to do what they have done on far too many times this season and were beaten.
Coming at the end of a week which included the tenth anniversary of City leaving Highfield Road, the mood amongst the City supporters was not good and there was plenty of tension in the air as we made our way to the Broadfield Stadium where every ticket had been sold, not helped by a lack of sleep due to the Football League's scant regard for supporters by making this a 12.15pm kick off.
.
It was a great turn out from the City support which numbered 1720 and there was plenty in fancy dress to cheer on City, who had made three changes.
Tony Mowbray's side, in white shirts and sky blue shorts forced a corner in the opening thirty seconds but it was poorly delivered and Crawley cleared.
A free kick for City followed three minutes later. Fleck, sent it deep, Jensen flapped at it and the ball ended up in the net. However, the referee though Jensen waas impeded and the goal was ruled out.
Fleck sent a twenty yard volley just over the bar for City who had Proschwitz just miss getting to a seventh minute header.
Five minutes later and Youga sent a shot over the Bruce Winfield Stand before Crawley won a sixteenth minute free kick that Lee Burge easily caught.
In the seventeenth minute, Jim O'Brien was very lucky to still be on the pitch when he was very late and reckless with a challenge. The City skipper, only received a caution and City cleared, winning a corner.
The City support continued to sing to try and lift the team as news filtered through that Crewe were losing.
Crawley, who looked a poor side in the opening forty minutes won a corner and then a throw but City were able to clear.
Two minutes before the break and City had a penalty, when Marcus Tudgay was sent crashing but the hapless Nick Proschwitz stepped up in front of the City support and gave Jensen such an easy save it was unreal.
The Audi driving Proschwitz, much to the annoyance of many City supporters was still on the pitch as the second half got underway, with Orient winning.
Arron Martin won a header but was nowhere as a cross from the left came over. Burge flapped and there was Mathias Pogba to head in from about three foot out and give Crawley a 48th minute lead..
James Maddison was sent on for Adam Barton, who had taken a knock in the 54th minute for a City side who were second to every ball.
With half an hour left, Frank Nouble for Proschwitz who was bid auf wiedersehen or words to that effect by the City support who have been less than happy with the efforts from this non-striking striker, came on as news filtered through that Notts County were ahead and if Crewe scored another goal then City were down.
The City support did their best to try and alway believe as a 63rd minute free kick lead to a corner.
Suddenty, Crawley stopped playing and City went for it. O'Brien fired over in the 66th minute but five minutes later and City were back on level terms when Marcus Tudgay got the ball from an O'Brien cross from the right and headed it powerfully into the net.
The City fans were diving everywhere in delight on the terrace and the noise from the City support was superb and probably far better than some of the players this season have deserved.
Marvin Elliott fired at Burge who soon was feeding Maddison who needed treatment following a foul.
Maddison was tearing into a Crawley side whose fans were virtually silent and City won a corner and Dean Saunders used his last two subs.
Tudgay headed wide and City won two more corners against a Crawley side who can look forward to trips to Carlisle and Hartlepool after Frank Nouble crossed and James Maddison slotted home in the 90th minute to give City a 2-1 win and end what has been a very forgettable season.
Pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service