COVENTRY CITY 0-1 DERBY COUNTY BY KEV MONKS
Team
Westwood, Wright, Cranie (Hussey 68), Barnett, Wood, Deegan (Sears 78), Clingan, Gunnarsson (Bell 65), Baker, Stead, Morrison
SNU Jeffers, Konstantoplous, Hall, McPake
Derby
Bywater, McEveley, Green, Leacock (Hunt 46), Savage, Hulse (Davies 83), Porter, Barker, Pearson, Tonge (Teale 87), Anderson
SNU Deeney, Martin, Cywka, Sunu
HT CCFC 0-1 DCFC
FT CCFC 0-1 DCFC
ATT 17,630
Referee A. D'Urso Webster
Booked Clingan, Leacock
Goals Shaun Barker (19)
Man Of The Match Sammy Clingan took the votes from Clinton Morrison
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A late ruled out goal robbed Coventry City of a draw against Derby County at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon.
The Sky Blue support on a pleasant enough afternoon at the Ricoh Arena were boosted by members of Sky Blue International and there were City supporters from the UAE, France, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland as well as those living closer to home who saw Chris Coleman name a City side that had four changes.
With Leon Barnett in defence, City went on the attack from the start.
Jon Stead and Clinton Morrison all kept former Sky Blue Stephen Bywater busy but it was the Rams who took the lead on nineteen minutes.
Stephen Wright, who is to be offered a new contract, initially gave the ball away and then had to get back to concede a corner.
When the flag kick came over, Shaun Barker from four yards swept the ball clearly over the goal-line. Keiren Westwood dragged the ball back but the assistant on the Tescos Stand side had the same view as us that the ball had gone in and the goal was given.
City kept the well abused Robbie Savage quiet in midfield as the likes of Clingan, Deegan, Gunnarsson and Baker sought to get the Sky Blues back on the attack.
Clingan who picked up a caution, had an effort on goal along with Stead and Deegan but there were some glum faces amongst the City support at the break.
City were better in the second half, playing with more purpose even if the main tactic was to lump the ball to Jon Stead.
A stunning twenty yard shot from Baker crashed against the bar two minutes after the restart but today there were too many players seemingly going through the motions.
Leon Barnett was scared to tackle and too often Derby were allowed space down the wings to attack Stephen Wright.
Baker headed into the net in the 74th minute and in stoppage time, City got the ball in the net again when Chris Hussey swept in.
The assistant had his flag up indicating offside but who was actually offside I could not say.
The soaking wet Sky Blue Army were seething at this decision and what had been a poor performance from the Sky Blues.