A DRAMATIC winner from loanee Callum O’Hare completed a stunning comeback against Blackpool to lift Coventry City up to second in League One.
Sulley Kaikai’s brace put the Seasiders into a commanding position, but a five-minute salvo from Matt Godden and Wesley Jobello hauled the hosts back on level terms just before the break.
The goals were credited by manager Mark Robins as the difference maker, helping set up the stunning finale from O’Hare in the first minute of stoppage time.
“To come back from two goals down in the manner of the way the game started was outstanding,” he said.
“To do that shows great character, the belief they got from coming in at 2-2 at half time changed the whole dynamic.
“We spoke at half time about just being on the front foot, both mentally and by playing the way we know they can do – I’ve got to say they were outstanding.”
Kaikai opened the scoring just two minutes in when meeting Liam Feeney’s cross, looping the ball over Marko Marosi into the top corner.
And despite a positive response to going behind from the hosts, Blackpool doubled their lead, with Kaikai again meeting a centre by Feeney to fire home.
The deficit was halved almost immediately through Godden’s close-range finish from a defensive error, followed by Jobello’s expert finish into the roof of the net to level in first-half stoppage time.
Jordy Hiwula and Michael Rose were both denied by efforts after the restart, but Coventry’s dominance was finally rewarded when O’Hare skipped past a challenge before zipping the ball into the far corner of the net in the dying minutes.
Speaking on the winning goal, Robins revealed his delight at the impact had by the substitute, and said: “O’Hare has got his goal in the end; it was great to see it go in.
“Gervane [Kastaneer] also had a couple of chances after that to seal it, but that would have possibly been harsh on Blackpool.”
Robins gave an update on injured captain Liam Kelly, admitting that he could be out for between three to six weeks, but was more than pleased with his replacement – Bristol City loanee Liam Walsh – for stepping in.
“We needed to do something, and so we brought in Walshy, who is an outstanding footballer,” he said.
“He gets you on the ball and moving, and we’ve got a really nice balance now.”
Coventry next visit Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion on Saturday (3pm).
