ROBINS: WE’RE ON RIGHT PATH
BOSS Mark Robins believes Coventry are close to finding the quality needed to unlock defences after his side squandered a number of chances at the Proact Stadium.
An evenly matched game was threatened to be turned on its head on the hour when Chesterfield’s Robbie Weir was sent off for two bookable offences, but Coventry were unable to break the deadlock.
Robins said: “We weren’t at our best but we have quality in this squad and we are not going to keep on missing the chances.
“Our luck will turn in front of goal and we’ll get better and pick up our performances to go with it.
“Marc McNulty has worked really hard again and we know that strikers go through these phases where they can’t find the back of the net, but all it takes is one and he is too good not to start scoring again soon.
“We are getting better and we have a free week now to get some good work in on the training ground.”
Chesterfield grew into a slow-burning first half and nearly broke the deadlock via a Jordan Flores free-kick that was tipped onto the post by Sky Blues goalkeeper Lee Burge, before Kristian Dennis’s free shot was tipped over as halftime approached.
Spireites goalkeeper Tommy Lee ensured parity was retained with two fine saves early in the second half as Coventry ramped up the pressure, first with a fingertip save from McNulty’s curling shot, then palming away a Jones effort that left the long-serving goalkeeper unsighted.
Chesterfield’s hopes of getting a point looked under threat when Weir was sent off for a second bookable offence, bringing down Jones at speed as he bore down on goal.
The Sky Blues should have taken the lead through McNulty when he found space behind the home defence, but his shot was agonisingly wide as chances began to come for the visitors.
Peter Vincenti had a header ruled out for offside, before McNulty was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance with a free header in the box, failing to guide his effort on target.
Chesterfield manager Gary Caldwell lamented the sending off and believed his side were worth a point.
“We feel unlucky again with the sending off of Robbie,” he said. “We’ve had a couple now that we think are harsh and the players have reacted well when they could have lost their heads.
“We have matched them well across the pitch and they had a few chances, but overall I think we’ve been strong and held out well and we know the positive results are just around the corner.
“There have been a lot of positives. We are creating chances and we were well worth a point and it’s another step in the right direction. It’s a tough league but I believe we will start climbing the table.”