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Match report: Coventry City v Leeds United
Aidy White and Cyrus Christie battle for the ball.
Gary McSheffrey’s stoppage-time penalty against former club Leeds United clinched Coventry City’s first win in four matches to haul them off the foot of the Championship table.
Sky Blues striker McSheffrey, who had already converted a 21st-minute penalty, slammed home his second spot kick in the 92nd minute after Aidan White’s foul on Alex Nimely to inflict on managerless Leeds a second straight defeat.
Leeds, for whom caretaker-manager Neil Redfearn was taking charge for the third time since the sacking of Simon Grayson, had earlier equalised before half-time through Ross McCormack, but after a third defeat in four games their play-off chances are fading fast.
Coventry created enough chances to have sealed the points inside 90 minutes, but were let down by wayward finishing and remain six points from safety.
Injury-hit Coventry recalled midfielder Carl Baker and defender Jordan Clarke in place of latest casualties Sammy Clingan and Richard Wood, while Leeds were unchanged from the side which started in the weekend defeat to Brighton.
Neither side had created a chance of note before referee Pat Miller deemed visiting midfielder Pugh’s challenge on Coventry striker Nimely in the penalty area to be a foul.
McSheffrey, on loan at Leeds for the second half of the 2009/10 season, stepped up to place the subsequent spot-kick into visiting goalkeeper Andy Lonergan’s bottom right-hand corner in the 21st minute.
Leeds forward McCormack had pulled a chance for the visitors wide from 20 yards in only the third minute, but he was on target for his 16th goal of the season 11 minutes later to haul his side level with a smart finish from inside the area.
Coventry then enjoyed their best spell.
Nimely dragged his effort wide from the edge of the area, Clive Platt’s goalbound header was cleared by Luciano Becchio and McSheffrey’s 20-yard effort was well saved by Lonergan.
McSheffrey was then inches wide with a blistering volley just before half-time.
Leeds enjoyed more possession after the break. Midfielder Adam Clayton’s rising shot cleared the crossbar and after Baker fluffed a gilt-edged chance from six yards soon after, Leeds defender Aidy White forced Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy into a fine save with a shot from 12 yards.
The visitors were dealt a blow just after the hour-mark when midfielder Fabian Delph, on loan at his former club from Aston Villa, was withdrawn through injury and replaced by Michael Brown.
Chances dried up midway through the second period, but Coventry still looked the more likely side to break the deadlock.
Midfielder Gary Deegan lashed a 25-yard shot over the crossbar, Nimely’s effort was blocked by Pugh and Oliver Norwood failed to get enough curl on his 30-yard free-kick.
Leeds sent on Ramon Nunez for McCormack in the 82nd minute before defender Darren O’Dea threatened to snatch the points for the visitors from close range.
But in the second minute of time added on White brought down Nimely in the area and McSheffrey took no chances with his power penalty as Leeds went down to a stoppage-time goal for the second time in four days.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 47 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
cactus
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 05:05 PM"We didn't turn up!"" states the back page headline. It's just a shame they didn't turn up all season!!
Brighouse White
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 03:28 PMAmazingly, since we first won the league only 3 clubs have won the title more times than us! (Manchester Utd, Arsenal, and Liverpool – and they haven’t won it in 22 years!) Sadly, pathetically, Leeds now resembles an over-the-hill prize fighter, lumbering from one knock-out blow to the next. They certainly don’t look anything like a hungry, ambitious club focused on regaining their place amongst the heavy-weights of the English game. A worrying part of me is thinking maybe they never will! Under Ken Bates we are being navigated down a spiral of under-achievement as a result of under-investment. Bates has one last chance to redeem himself and put a man in the dug-out we all believe in, and a cheque-book in his hand that will ensure a team out on the park that will bring the crowds flooding back to the terraces. As this season inevitably dwindles to the mediocre mid-table finish that many of us predicted last summer, the crowds will in turn evaporate. The last time we were finishing mid-table in our second season in the 2nd Division (8384) crowds were often almost a third lower than they are now. As a club we have always supported a team that gives us something to support – and at the moment there is absolutely nothing worth supporting, so don’t be surprised if the figures don’t keep falling! If Bates doesn’t do something decisive and positive now, he won’t have a club worth selling. All he’ll have is an empty shell, with a few hardy souls watching meagre fare from players on lower-division wages playing lower-division football. We have no God-given right to Premiership football based on our past glories, so I believe this is our last chance to achieve it for the foreseeable future. After all, Sheff Weds have won the title more times than us and look where they are. It’s not about the past, but all about the future, and ours under Bates doesn’t look worthy of the inflated admission fee!
whitevanman1
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:03 PMGrayson, it seems, was not the problem. Redfearn is having the same problems with the same players. The present squad are playing as well as they can, but the vast majority would be better in the Unibond League, or whatever it's called. It's thier level. I truly believe that there is no manager on earth who could get this lot playing any better, they're just not up to it. GRAYSON IN, BATES OUT. How would Grayson have done if he had been able to buy decent players on decent wages from day one?
Bubionwhite
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 09:15 AMIn my opinion, there are only four of last night's starters should be in the team for Saturday ... Andy Lonergan (could not be blamed for two penalties) - Aidy White (providing he plays at full back) - Robert Snodgrass (for his potential) - Ross McCormack (because he's the only player who regularly shows his class and commitment and why he was subbed is anyone's guess). It could be stretched to five - six if Adam Clayton and Tom Lees were included for their previous performances. That means someone has to find at least five players from what remains of the squad ... Zac Thompson, Alex Bruce (full international), Mika Vayrynen (full international, Ramon Nunez (full international), Robbie Rogers (full international) and Mikail Forssell, another full international ... complete with a change of formation and tactics and before anyone tells me they're all rubbish, I have to ask "could they be any worse than last night's rubbish".
duncank67
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:53 AMI was at the game last night & it is getting harder to watch our team get outplayed by teams with more passion. When you look at the quality we have lost and the awful players we have left who don't show any passion. Only White,Clayton & Snoddy came over to us last night. The rest too ashamed I would hope but doubt judging by the performance. There are at least eight players in our squad who just aren't good enough for us. No doubt they will do much better elsewhere. We lost Beckford,Max,Killkenny,Howson,Johnson & got on who? Pugh who we play left back erm.... Paynter,Bromby,Bruce,Kisnorbo,Browne,Forsell,Sam,Taylor,Vayrynen,Rachubka,Connolly,O'Dea are the players who I think should go if we ever get a decent manager it will interesting to see how they view the squad. I assume we will lose our remaining few good players namely Snoddy, Ross, Clayton maybe Becchio & Somma with the normal excuse from the club next transfer window. I can't see the logic in getting rid of Larry to try and push for the playoffs to have Redfearn who last night took off our best player to the boos of every Leeds fan there.There were pro Grayson chants to so god knows how Redfearn feels. The guy is clearly out of his depth but when you have a poor playing squad with no confidence we ain't going pick up many points. My only hope is we get a half decent manager who can inspire the poor players and bates invests in a few players we need having chopped the deadwood. I ain't holding my breath though & think it's going be a long couple of seasons ahead. I am going Saturday but don't look forwrd to it like I normally do over the last twenty seasons. Let's hope Bates moves on and we can find our way again. MOT
Alan Childs
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:40 AMI agree with comment 27 but for the idea of a boycott of ER to work WE ALL HAVE TO BOYCOTT NOT JUST A FEW HUNDRED OF US ALL OF US!!!!!!. I travel 132 mile round trip to see Leeds play it is not worth it there are a lot of players in OUR team who are on bloody good wages compared to the fans if we performed in our jobs as they do we would get the sack for sure not our boss. They (the team) are just simply not worth there salaries they are in probably the best job in the world and we have no one at the club with any balls (Neil Readfearn or who ever at the moment) to get hold of the playing staff and give them a swift kick in theirs tell they are not good enough and start shipping out the dead wood and make way for those who WANT TO PLAY FOR OUT CLUB and not just turn up for an easy pay packet I was told at a recent home match that I should support the team not give them grief well in my book SUPPORT IS LIKE RESPECT you gain them both you have no devine right to either with out earning them. Is there any help out there Mcarthy any more hats in the ring we will be able to build a team with apllicants for the managers job. anyway who in their right mind would want to come and work for Bates you could not blame any of em if they told him to get lost(chance would be a fine thing for bates to get lost I mean) Somebody with loads of dosh PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TonyCurrie
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:38 AMCurrently Leeds are Grayson's team and playing with same mentality. They are, were, and always will be, SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH! We went three months too long with Grayson. There is no going forward now. I know what Bates said, but really, that was just appeasing the masses. Unfortunately, we all now need to control our emotions and reassess our expectations. The 2011-12 season is gone! Get Antic or Warnock in...and start building for 2012-13. By the way....for those of you who feel that Bates is not managing the finances correctly?.....there will be many more stories like Notts Forest and Rangers FC in the next 18 months ...just wait and see.
sigur_ros_fan
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:13 AMBates Out! Boycott the bar! Bates Out! boycott the bar Bates Out! Boycott the bar Bates Out! boycott the bar..........spend nothing at ER! Just support the lads
Anthsej
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:10 AMSORT THIS MESS OUT, TOTAL EMBARRASMENT YET AGAIN ......................
markmaz123
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:24 AMPathetic team!! pathetic so called manager!! NR hasn't a F£$%^&"! clue. Why the hell play the same team, he hasn't changed a thing since he came in what the hell was the point!!!! He has just wasted 3 games and it will be 4 on Saturday, only 3 players worthy of the shirt all the rest a complete embarrassment I would rather drive to Leeds (3 hour round trip) to watch us play in the conference with a committed team and great forward thinking management set up!!! Please no one go to ER any more lets starve the B$%£^&! Bates and the rest of the cronies out!!!!!!!!!
Lucas1969
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:21 AMWhen sacking SG the club stated that with 18 games left they wanted a new management team in that could get more out of the current squad. Two weeks later we have 15 games left, we have lost two games to teams who were below us in the league at the time of the sacking and we are still waiting for this new management team to come in! Bates stated he blocked a move for a midfielder on deadline day because he was too expensive, yet less than what came in for Howson. Fed up of the lack of Investment, false promises , unrealistic expectations, a lack of direction, a lack of respect for the fans and fed up of the Lies! Bates Out!
bramley whites
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:12 AMJust one question for the yep when is bates holding interviews for a new manager! we dont want nr as he had 3 winnable games to prove himself! first game against brighton must have had bates cringing and that last night well im sorry not good enough
luapnadd
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:56 AMAnother disgraceful display against a rock bottom team riddled with injuries. Bates is driving a wedge between the fans and the club (no doubt for personal gain) and needs to either sort it out or get out. Wasn't it him who told the fans that if they wanted to pay Conference league prices we would get Conference league football. Now we pay Premier league prices (earlier and earlier each year for season ticket holders) and we are watching a team that is heading more towards the Conference than the Premier league. Get real Mr Bates, Simon may have squandered the money you gave him, but that shouldn't stop you sorting this mess out!
lufcforever
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:39 AMkeep supporting our team just dont buy anything in the ground !!!!!!!!!!
OzTyke
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 04:55 AMMy brother was at this match, and said at the final whistle only Snodgrass, White and Clayton came over to clap and thank the Leeds fans who made the trip. What has the club got against its own fans? More poor PR, but full marks to Clayts, Snoddy and Aidy I know my brother was grateful for that, and it was not lost on the blokes around him either. Hang your heads in shame the others and Redfearn, you're on five maybe ten times what most fans earn and you can't even thank them afterwards, just slink off to the showers and the expenses-paid hotel. Come on, we're ALL disappointed but remember our song "We've been through it all TOGETHER".... MOT
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