City earn praise in defeat

Despite losing 3-1 at Elland Road yesterday, Coventry City continued their recent improved form with a display that pegged back high-flying Leeds for large parts of the game.

Micky Adams' kept an unchanged side after Monday night's win at Queens Park Rangers and was rewarded as City created a number of chances in the first-half, Dele Adebola and Andy Morrell both going close.

Jonathon Douglas ensured that the Sky Blues went in a goal down at the interval.

Don Hutchison's goal of the season contender hauled them level before Leeds replied with a well-worked goal by Robbie Blake.

Richard Cresswell made it 3-1 but City kept battling and could have made it a nervous last ten minutes for the hosts if Gary McSheffrey had converted his second penalty in successive games.

As at Loftus Road he went for power but his shot kept rising and struck the crossbar.

Adams' said afterwards: 'It wasn't our day. It's all about scoring goals and we have created chances and then been a little bit unfortunate.

'It looked as though we dominated. We played terrific football and frustrated Leeds but it's all about scoring.

Most reports on the game agreed with that assessment.

The BBC declared that 'promotion-chasing Leeds rode their luck to beat Coventry who missed a penalty and twice hit the woodwork.'

The Mirror agreed, saying: 'Goals from Cresswell, Robbie Blake and Jonathan Douglas handed them (Leeds) a victory when, in all fairness, it looked a touch flattering.'

A different version of events came from the Teletext reporter at the game who felt that 'Leeds boosted their hopes of a play-off place with a well-deserved victory.'

Whatever the opinions, City remain in good spirits for tomorrow's home game against Crewe, when they can hopefully reward a large holiday crowd with a win.

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