COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Simms strike earns Sky Blues draw against Robins



Coventry City substitute Ellis Simms struck a late equaliser to salvage a point as the Sky Blues shared the spoils with Bristol City.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto put Coventry ahead with his sixth goal in seven league games, but Rob Dickie headed the visitors' equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Nahki Wells tucked away a loose ball to give the Robins a late advantage - only for Simms to level two minutes later.

The draw takes Coventry a point clear of Sunderland in the final play-off spot, while Bristol City stay 13th.

Liam Manning's side, who are without a win in the league since Boxing Day, made the brighter start as Jason Knight and Taylor Gardner-Hickman both tested home goalkeeper Brad Collins from distance.

Coventry were also forced into an early change when captain Ben Sheaf pulled up and was unable to continue, but they rediscovered some rhythm and snatched the lead just before the half-hour.

Bristol City could only clear Jake Bidwell's steepling cross as far as Sakamoto, who calmly manoeuvred himself into position and steered a precise left-foot finish into the bottom corner.

But the Robins responded just before the break when Gardner-Hickman crossed from the left and Dickie, scorer of the only goal when the sides met in the corresponding fixture at Ashton Gate in October, glanced a header in off the far post.

Soon after the restart, the lively Gardner-Hickman had another go from long range but his shot was deflected behind. Coventry sought to shake up their attack with a triple change, sending on Simms and Haji Wright along with Danish midfielder Victor Torp.

Yet it was the visitors who posed the greater goal threat and when the ball deflected into the path of Wells on the edge of the box, the striker pounced, lashing it beyond Collins to make it 2-1.

Coventry, with only one home defeat in all competitions this season, fought to maintain that statistic and were quickly back on level terms when Max O'Leary could only parry Liam Kitching's drive and Simms gobbled up the rebound.

There were still further opportunities for both sides and O'Leary denied Simms a second goal before Robins substitute Harry Cornick unleashed a shot that took a deflection, but Collins reacted quickly to switch direction and claw it to safety.

Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire:

"That's the first time we haven't performed anywhere near our level really, the energy levels felt a bit flat. We gave the ball away too easily.

"Looking at the pitches we've played on for the last two games at Sheffield Wednesday, I think it's taken a bit out of us, that's for sure - so to get a point is a real positive, definitely a point gained.

"If you can't win it, don't lose it, and this keeps the unbeaten run going, which is important.

"We got back into it with a really good shot from Kitch, the keeper's parried it and Ellis reacted really well - more than that, he's controlled the bobbling ball into the back of the net. It was a much-needed goal for us and for him."