COVENTRY CITY 1-1 DERBY COUNTY BY KEV MONKS
TEAM
Westwood, Osbourne,Ward,Dann,Fox,Gunnarsson,Beuzelin (Hall 87),Doyle (Morrison 68),Best (Simpson 80),Mifsud,Eastwood SNU Marshall,Turner
DERBY
Bywater,Connelly,Nyatanga,Leacock (Davis 80),Stewart,Sterjowski (Teale 60),Kazmierczak,Addison, Commons, Ellington (Villa 75),Hulse SNU Carroll,Zadkovich
HT CCFC 0-1 DCFC FT CCFC 1-1 DCFC ATT 18,430
GOALS Rob Hulse (40),Clinton Morrison (90)
REFEREE Iain Williamson
BOOKED Dann,Gunnarsson,Addison, Commons
MAN OF THE MATCH Aron Gunnarsson took the votes from Michael Mifsud.
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Clinton Morrison gave City a point with a late strike against Derby County.
With the country now in recession, the last thing, City supporters needed was a team in recession, so getting something out of this game was vital for the Sky Blues team.
It was a team,announced by Stuart Linnell after the former Radio Presenter and now distributor of marital aids - John Dalziel had done his "Welcome To The Ricoh" mantra and showed one change from the side that had been beaten by Burnley on Tuesday.
Jay Tabb had not recovered from a knock to the ribs and Guilly Beuzelin stepped into the breach with Michael Mifsud switching to the right side of midfield.
Derby boss Paul Jewell fielded former Sky Blues Stephen Bywater and Dean Leacock in his team,who strode out wearing luminous yellowy shirts.
On a cold afternoon with some rain, the first half with City attacking the end where over 3,000 Derby followers were housed, was painful for Sky Blue eyes.
Michael Mifsud had a very early chance but Keiran Westwood was the first keeper called into the action when he got down to a Nathan Ellington shot in the 16th minute.
The big positive from the first half was City's passing. With Beuzelin having one of his better games and Michael Mifsud proving a good outlet, City played some good crisp passing to keep the ball moving.
However, too often the likes of Eastwood and Best ran into trouble and Derby were able to clear their lines.
In the 40th minute, City were made to pay for the wasted free kicks and runs when Michael Mifsud lost possession. Jordan Stewart played the ball out to Kris Commons on the left. The former Forest and Stoke man delivered a cross into the centre and there was Rob Hulse to loop a header into the net.
Derby were ahead but two minutes after their goal, their lead was almost eradicated when Aron Gunnarsson raced on a through ball and stroked a shot onto the post.
As we went into the break,Stephen Bywater,who has some happy memories of being in Coventry,flapped for a corner which Leon Best missed to groans from the City support.
Aron Gunnarsson ran his heart out in the second half. he was involved in everything good and although his throw ins were dealt with by Leacock and Nyatanga,early on, he was City's best hope of a goal winning a corner and having a 52nd minute drive saved by Bywater.
Freddie Eastwood showed some lovely touches once again and a blinding run in the 55th minute, saw him skip into the penalty area. With no-one around to help him.he rifled a shot which just went over the crossbar.
Leon Best wasted a good chance with a tame drive down Bywater's throat just before Paul Jewell, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing from his days at Bradford City.
Derby should have scored for a second time in the 66th minute when Miles Addison was allowed to get into the penalty area. Thankfully, Kieran Westwood was alert to deal with the threat and keep the Sky Blues in the game.
Two minutes after this, Chris Coleman decided it was time for a chance and sent on Clinton Morrison for Michael Doyle who had taken a knock.
Like a bear in Spring, City started to awaken from a slumber and upped the tempo. Aron Gunnarsson side footed over from fourteen yards after another good cross from Mifsud.
The good passing returned and with ten minutes left, Robbie Simpson replaced Leon Best, who was booed off by some sections of the 18,430 crowd.
As with the Burnley game, Simpson was denied a penalty when he was shoved over by Kris Commons.
Coventry got on with it, roared on by the City support who had found their voice.
The impressive Nyatanga had to be at his best to deal with an 83rd minute centre from Mifsud.
A corner followed and then a free kick on the edge of the area. Robbie Simpson curled it well but Bywater brilliantly dived to his right to push over for a corner.
That was sent to the far post for Gunnarsson to head forward to Simpson who fired over with an over head kick.
There was no-one leaving early and the City support, who by now, were roaring on their team, suddenly had plenty to cheer about in the final minute.
Michael Mifsud again got down the right, got past a couple of challenges and delivered a cross right into the mixer. Clinton Morrison was the first to react and thumped the ball into his net for his first league goal for the Sky Blues who went home happy with a point.