VICTORY IS ‘JUSTICE’ FOR ROBINS
MARK Robins felt it would have been an “absolute travesty” had his Coventry side not won at Southend United.
Jodi Jones’ deflected injury time effort handed Coventry victory against the Shrimpers, who had Simon Cox sent off.
And Robins thought the Sky Blues were worthy winners.
“It could have been 3-0 before they got their goal,” said Robins.
“The Tom Davies effort that wasn’t given was two yards in the net so had we not won the game it would have been an absolute travesty.
“I think they are a good team and make it really difficult with the way they play.
“They are confident on the ball and move it around a lot, but we were really good, and good value for the win.
“We were backed outstandingly again by the fans and I am just happy to go away with the three points because we definitely deserved them.”
The Sky Blues dominated the first half and were adamant they should have taken the lead with a Tom Davies header which was adjudged not to have crossed the line.
But Coventry made the breakthrough in the 20th minute when Jordy Hiwula fired home after Jonson Clarke-Harris had headed down Michael Doyle’s left-wing corner.
Southend dug deep to stay in the game and equalised in the 68th minute when substitute Tom Hopper surged into the left hand side of the penalty area and sent a low, left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
However, the Shrimpers’ hopes were hit when Cox was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Davies in the 79th minute.
And Coventry took full advantage with Jones cutting in off the right flank and netting with a low shot which deflected in off Michael Turner to leave Southend boss Chris Powell a frustrated figure.
“Our display in the first half came from absolutely nowhere and we just didn’t get going for whatever reason,” said Powell.
“We were very fortunate it stayed at 1-0 because it gave us a chance to do something.
“There was more purpose about us in the second half and we got back into it with Tom taking his goal brilliantly. “After that was a red card, but theirs should’ve been too. “I’ve seen it again and if you’re telling me that’s just a yellow card it’s frightening. “The ball is nowhere near and he (Tom Davies) goes through him. “For Coxy’s red card, you could say don’t put yourself in that area when the referee has a decision to make. “But right at the end the shot hits one player, then another and goes through someone legs and that’s the way it seems to be going for us.”
SOUTHEND: Oxley 6, Bwomono 6, Hendrie 6, Coker 5 (Bunn 45), Moore 6, Mantom 5 (Demetriou 78), Turner 6, Dieng 6, Robinson 6 (Hopper 62), Cox 6, Yearwood 6. Subs not used: McLaughlin, Bishop,Lennon, McCoulsky.
COVENTRY CITY: Burge 6, Willis 7, Chaplin 6 (Jones 84), Hiwula 9 (Shipley 76, 6), Davies 7, Brown 6, Doyle 8, Sterling 6, Thomas 7, Bayliss 6, Clarke-Harris 6 (Bakayoko 89). Subs not used: Kelly, O’Brien, Hyam, Ogogo.