Mowbray: Result for Coventry, not for me
TONY MOWBRAY believes Coventry have what it takes to beat the drop after he picked up his first win as City boss.
Second-half goals from Sanmi Odelusi and Frank Nouble sealed a vital win to bolster the Sky Blues’ survival hopes.
It was Mowbray’s first win in four attempts since taking over from Steven Pressley – and only Coventry’s second win in 11 games.
“Any win is important when you are in the position we are in, and it is about the club and not me getting my first win,” said Mowbray.
“Chesterfield used the ball better than us, but we looked a real threat with our speed and power when possession turned over.
“They put us under pressure, but we withstood it well.We need a stronger centre to the team and that was on show today.
“We are starting to score goals now and, if we show this level of determination, then we will be OK at the end of the season.”
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook was left to reflect on two costly defensive errors as the Spireites slumped to their fifth defeat in seven.
“We were the architects of our own downfall today,” said Cook. “We want to encourage a passing game and players will sometimes make mistakes when they express themselves.
“We made the same mistakes against MK Dons and were not punished. When you do not get punished, people forget them.
“We make mistakes and that is our achilles heel this season. When players make mistakes, I will always back them.
“We shot ourselves in the foot and it is a disappointing result.
“We needed better game management. but we have to give Coventry credit.”
City went ahead on nine minutes when Marcus Tudgay headed Aaron Martin’s flighted cross past Tommy Lee. Lee Burge nearly spilled Caolan Lavery’s low effort on 16 minutes, before Adam Barton went close from Grant Ward's corner.
Jay O'Shea levelled for Chesterfield when his 20 yard effort beat Burge with the aid of a deflection on 42 minutes.
Lavery was inches away from putting the Spireites ahead when his angled shot was deflected just wide.
Substitute Odelusi gave Coventry the lead on 65 minutes following a woeful clearance by Ian Evatt.
Nouble then took full advantage of a defensive error by Ritchie Humphreys to run 45 yards and fire coolly past Lee on 75 minutes.
Gboly Ariyibi gave the Spireites hope on 85 minutes. Burge then produced a superb save to deny Lavery and wrap up the points.