FOOTBALL: COVENTRY City’s turbulent playoff zone status continued on Saturday as league strugglers Forest Green Rovers sprung a surprise, beating the Sky Blues 2-1 at the New Lawn.
A win for the Sky Blues on Saturday would’ve left them fourth in the league table, but instead goals from Alex Bray and Lee Collins relegated Coventry to eighth – one point short of Swindon Town, who occupy the final playoff spot.
There is also concern for several players who had to receive treatment during Saturday’s game, most notably Jack Grimmer and Tom Davies – who were both substituted.
Davies fractured his collarbone while Grimmer was subbed after stretching his hamstring. Chris Stokes also struggled with a hamstring issue.
Early efforts from Grimmer and Josh Barrett were saved as the Sky Blues struggled to find a way past Green’s keeper Bradley Collins.
Jordan Willis was forced into making a goalline clearance midway through the second half after Reuben Reid rounded an aggressive Lee Burge who was caught off his line.
The deadlock was broken when Alex Bray latched onto Burge’s parry from Christian Doidge’s strike, gifting the home side a deserved lead.
A foul on Liam Kelly in the penalty area allowed Marc McNulty to bring the Sky Blues level on 59 minutes.
Celebrations were cut short though as Lee Collins restored Green’s one-goal advantage five minutes later.
Speaking after the game, City boss Mark Robins said his men were ‘second best’ all over the pitch.
“It was a poor afternoon and there are no excuses here,” said Robins.
“This side has now done the double over us.
“While they’ve worked hard, we should not be losing games like this when we are going for promotion.
“We have to put this behind us and quickly move on.
“There’s been a lot of praise on players in the past couple of weeks, they need to get on with it and overcome the issues we have away from home.
“We know how difficult playing three games in a week is, but everyone has to do it.
“We have got to be ready for the challenge.”
