Sky Blues’ last-gasp leveller upsets Holden

Photo: PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH.

Danny Philliskirk (second, left) celebrates after putting Athletic ahead at the Ricoh Arena last night.

DEAN Holden was adamant that a poor decision gave Coventry a helping hand to their added-time equaliser last night.

Connor Brown appeared to be pushed in the back by Frank Nouble before the Sky Blues man crossed for Reda Johnson to slam in a header in a 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena.

That goal came after 90 minutes and 34 seconds, cancelling out Danny Philliskirk’s 13th-minute opener for a visiting side who had until that point held firm against a huge barrage of pressure.

“It is a blatant foul, of course it is,” said Holden, who was denied a fourth victory of his reign by Johnson’s late intervention.

“He had to get through Browny to get to the ball and sent him flying. As we keep saying, referees and linesmen sometimes do get things wrong. Unfortunately for us, it’s another that has gone against us in the space of four days and it is tough to take.

“But they are honest and don’t make decisions like that on purpose. They just sometimes get things wrong.”

Referee Andy Madley also angered home supporters by denying Coventry a first-half penalty after Philliskirk tangled with Chris Stokes.

But while stressing his side were set up to go for the victory, Holden admitted to being impressed by how capable Coventry were up to the point of testing outstanding goalkeeper Joel Coleman on the night.

“They move the ball so well, making the pitch really big when they have possession,” Holden added. “It is difficult to contain them and we changed it a couple of times to try to stem the flow.

“Equally, I don't think they affected Joel Coleman too many times in the second half for all the play that they had. We knew they would go longer as the game wore on, which they did. And we defended absolutely everything — apart from the one at the end. It was probably the first header in the box we lost all night.”

Coleman made a host of saves and dealt with crosses decisively. Only his kicking was suspect on a night when the 19-year-old showed his credentials once again.

“He is growing in presence,” Holden said of the rookie shot-stopper, who is now seven full appearances into his full senior career.

“Of course he needs to improve in certain areas, but he has got the mentality to cope with the sort of pressure he came under here.”



COVENTRY City will be refunding Athletic fans who did not make the game at the Ricoh Arena last night. The M6 was blocked in both directions at Corley Services and many fans either didn’t get to the game, or only saw the latter stages.

Fans who bought tickets in advance from Oldham Athletic and didn’t make it to the game should present their complete ticket at the ticket office.