Only A Draw For City

Last updated : 22 December 2012 By Covsupport News Service

COVENTRY CITY 1-1 PRESTON NORTH END

Coventry City: Murphy (GK), Adams, Christie, Wood, Edjenguele, Jennings, Bailey, Barton (Elliott 78), McSheffrey, Moussa (Baker 64), McGoldrick. Subs: Dunn (GK), Fleck, Clarke, Cameron, O'Donovan. 

Preston North End: Stuckmann (GK), Robertson, Cummins (Beardsley 52), Holmes, Byrom, Buchanan, Procter (Welsh 52), Mousinho (c), King, Wright, Amoo (Monokana 68). Subs: Simonsen (GK), Beavon, Foster, Elding.

HT CCFC 1-0 PNE FT CCFC 1-1 PNE

ATT 12,230

Goals James Bailey 21, Lee Holmes 76

Referee M.Jones. Booked Jennings, McSheffrey

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The Indian sign that Preston North End have over Coventry City when visiting the Ricoh Arena continued when City put in a poor second half and ended up drawing with Preston.

On his 43rd birthday, City boss Mark Robins kept faith with the team that played so well against Doncaster Rovers last week and fielded an unchanged side with Carl Baker on the bench, against a Preston team which was forced into a late change with David Amoo replacing Stuart Beavon.

On a wet, miserable afternoon, a decent crowd at the Ricoh Arena , boosted by local kids teams and supporters of local teams whose matches had been postponed, saw City attack the end where the Preston fans were, for the opening forty five minutes.

Graham Wesley’s side started early and Murphy made a good punch in the opening minutes and before getting down to beat away an Andy Procter effort from 20 yards.

In the fifth minute, a telling Gary McSheffrey cross was just missed by David McGoldrick and Adam Barton just missed another goof ball from Blair Adams two minutes later. The ball had come following the red shirted assistant with the yellow flag not looking as McSheffrey took the ball out of play.

Again, it was easy to see why Mark Robins rates Adams so highly as he played some good balls and made good tackle when required as did fellow full back Cyrus Christie

In the 21st minute, City took the lead when McSheffrey played a neat ball in and James Bailey finished off smartly for his first goal for the Sky Blues, causing Mark Robins to join the City support in punching the air in delight.

Now Graham Westley and his backroom staff may not be on the Christmas card list of many, but their record of back to back promotions with Stevenage shows that they know their tactics.

With City seemingly sitting back, Preston started to be first to the second and third balls and the pacy Amoo, and Proctor had chances before McGoldrick flashed a 34th minute shot wide.  

Two minutes later, Preston had a great chance from an Amoo cross but a poor shot from Joel Byrom was easily dealt with by Joe Murphy.

In the 43rd minute , David Amoo ,who had switched to the left got free and thumped the bar. 

With the anniversary of the Sky Blue Song celebrated, Preston, who were trying to get Steve Jennings sent off, were on the attack, forcing Murphy in to an early save.

A free kick brought a 49th minute corner for City, as the rain returned and Preston boss Graham Westley made a double change.

Wood, at the far post, missed getting on the end of an excellent 56th minute corner as the Sky Blues continued to put the pressure on the visitors.

In the 65th minute, Carl Baker came on for Franck Moussa and got good support from the City fans who were growing restless at the amount of attacks the Lillywhites were having.

Baker, today was not the game changer that the Sky Blues desperately needed and Murphy punched away for a 72nd minute corner before four minutes later, Lee Holmes was sent clear and slipped the ball past Murphy for the equaliser.

Some Preston fans tried to get at the City fans. One did and there were punches thrown as back on the pitch, Stephen Elliott came on.

Preston continued to attack, although there was no way they were getting past Joe Murphy but with two minutes to go, Elliott had a great chance to score and missed a free header, to see City take a point.