Brave Latics pegged back

CITY TUSSLE . . . Korey Smith battles away.

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Coventry 1, Athletic 1

ATHLETIC came close to nicking three points after a barnstorming contest at Sixfields.

For the second time in four days, an opening goal from Jonson Clarke-Harris was cancelled out for the home team by a world-class strike.

This time Carl Baker produced a superb overhead kick from the edge of the area to haul the Sky Blues back into an end-to-end game in the second half.

But as Athletic swayed on the ropes, they discovered a second wind - and ever-improving winger Mike Petrasso twice went close to breaking the symmetry.

The QPR teenager was an utter menace and as the game reached its final stages, he twice forced Joe Murphy into excellent saves.

A draw was probably a fair result and one Athletic can take plenty of credit from.

Along with Petrasso, Clarke-Harris can rightly be proud of his afternoon’s work. The former Sky Blues prospect had spoken in the build-up of his desire to net against Coventry and he managed to do just that shortly before half-time.

Jonathan Grounds swung in a corner and the Leicester-born forward – looking more like a classic number nine with each passing game – got in front of his marker to nod in a third goal in successive games.

Athletic boss Lee Johnson made one change to the line-up which gained a point at Sheffield United, bringing Carl Winchester into the side at the expense of David Mellor. James Tarkowski continued in the holding midfield role he was given at Bramall Lane.

Attack-minded and highly-rated right-back Cyrus Christie hit the side-netting with a deflected cross which nearly crept in, Baker hit a shot across the face of goal and Wilson did likewise as the home team started brightly.

Tarkowski shot a foot or two over when well-placed, as Athletic enjoyed a spell of pressure and a series of corner kicks. At the other end, Fleck scuffed one shot and Oxley saved well from Chris Dagnall.

By that point, Athletic’s goalkeeper was thankful to referee Dean Whitestone – who let the game flow – for his leniency. When Clarke set in Wilson, who touched the ball beyond the onrushing Oxley 25 yards from goal, a red card seemed inevitable.

Instead, mindful of the fact the ball was travelling towards the corner of the field, a yellow card was produced.

Korey Smith wasted a chance to send the visitors in front when looking to pass instead of taking a presentable shooting opportunity, but Clarke-Harris’s header deservedly gave Athletic something tangible to hold on to.

Coventry are a side brimming with forward-thinking players and it was perhaps no surprise to see Athletic pinned back regularly in the second half.

There was little anyone could do to combat Baker’s brilliance in converting Christie’s right-flank delivery.

The equaliser came after Clarke-Harris’s powerful shot had bounced off Murphy’s chest and between two Athletic players in the penalty area.

Athletic’s defence, remoulded with Tarkowski replacing injured Matteo Lanzoni at centre-back in the second period, had plenty to do.

Christie’s shot was blocked behind by Tarkowski, Oxley saved well as Clarke tried to net from a tight angle, the lively Wilson was twice off-target and Clarke somehow failed to connect completely with a very good heading chance.

Oxley was also down well to deny Baker a second.

At that stage if a goal was to come it looked like arriving for Presley’s men.

But Athletic rallied impressively and with Kirk Millar lively, Petrasso twice nearly netted at the end of an enthralling, feisty battle.

As it was, the point gained from a fifth 1-1 draw in Athletic’s last eight matches was reward enough