City prove their point

The Sky Blues made it 13 unbeaten at the Ricoh Arena but were left cursing a late penalty award that allowed Leeds to gain a valuable point in their quest for automatic promotion.

To be fair to the visitors, they looked a better side than last week's Ricoh visitors and their main rivals for promotion, Sheffield United.

Whereas City defended comfortably against the Blades and caused them plenty of problems up front, Leeds second-half display did push the Sky Blues back while Adebola and John were well-marshalled by Butler and Kilgallon.

Gary McSheffrey did cause problems though, scoring an excellent goal midway through the first-half and coming close shortly afterwards after a jinking run.

His display certainly caught the eye. The Sunday People commented: 'McSheffrey cemented his reputation as one of the hottest strikers outside the Premiership.

The Times added: 'McSheffrey’s 26th-minute opener, his 50th goal for the club, hinted at his ability, while an enticing run and shot wide confirmed his status as the game’s outstanding player.'

Leeds goal, when it came, was a penalty, awarded for a handball by Andrew Whing, when he jumped up to block a cross.

It was the kind of decision, as Micky Adams said afterwards, that you have seen given before, but City could have legitimate complaints about referee Clive Oliver, whose style changed noticeably after half-time, blowing up a lot more for things that he had let go in the opening 45 minutes.

A sign of City's recent improvement was the fact that the talk afterwards was of two points lost in the battle for a play-off place but Adams side proved once again that they can compete with the best the Championship has to offer.

Although McSheffrey's goal earned him rave reviews, the midfield trio of Michael Doyle, Don Hutchison and James Scowcroft were all outstanding. 'I have seen decisions like that given but I got the feeling the referee was always going to give them something.

'We had two chances to clear the ball in the run-up to the incident which we did not do and that disappoints me.'
'Anyone who watched the game cannot say that we deserved at least a point.

'Coventry defended stoutly and their keeper made several good saves, but credit to the lads as they kept going.

'At one point we were 17 points off automatic promotion but now it is only four.'

“The debts have not gone away but at least people are talking about the football now.”

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