Belford’s late save frustrates Mowbray
COVENTRY were denied a return to the top six by an outstanding late save by rookie keeper Tyrell Belford.
The 21-year-old, making his first start since September, managed to turn City substitute Darius Henderson’s 94th minute blast from 15 yards over the bar to earn his side a point.
The Swindon goalkeeper had been untroubled for the vast majority of the game but kept his concentration right to the death to keep Tony Mowbray’s Coventry outside the play-off zone by two points with nine games to go.
Mowbray said:“The result is what it is. It was a decent game of football – they play a possession based game and it panned out the way we expected.
“The only frustration was that we couldn’t nick the game.We had a few chances – we had a great one at the end of the game, which the keeper made a great save from Darius but they are a good side.
“We concentrated well and we will take the point and move onto the next game.We’ve got a couple of games in quick succession and we will see what they bring.”
The home side did have the ball in the net in the first half but Andy Rose was ruled offside while Jonathan Obika missed a gilt-edged opportunity on the stroke of half-time for Swindon.
Neither side really dominated until Coventry introduced James Maddison, Jacob Murphy and then Henderson.
The trio gave the home side more spark in attack – although it was still Swindon who went closest as Obika tested Reice Charles-Cook in the City goal.
Adam Armstrong didn’t quite get enough on a half-volley 11 minutes from time but the Sky Blues thought they’d won four minutes into injury time.
The ball dropped to Henderson just inside the box and he fired with power towards the roof of the net only to see Belford turn it over the bar.
Swindon head coach Luke Williams said:“It was two good sides wary of each other’s attacking strengths and both were trying to make sure that they didn’t give away clear chances.
“It was probably more cagey than we have seen in our previous games. You can’t win a game unless you score a goal but it’s important that we keep more clean sheets than we have been.
“Both teams had a few shots on goal but there was nothing clear until right at the death when Tyrell made a fantastic save.
“The boys and the coaching staff will talk very highly about Tyrell. Every single day he prepares and he knows his chances in the team are limited.”