Mark can’t defend dodgy start but loves Matt finish
Godden 45
MARK ROBINS ordered his players to cut out the dodgy defending – then gave them a pat on the back for rescuing a point.
Impressive Luton struck after just 38 seconds through defender Tom Lockyer – but striker Matty Godden, making his first start since October, equalised right on half-time from the penalty spot.
Coventry boss Robins admitted: “The goal we let in early was just poor.
“Other goals we have conceded have been poor and we can’t make it a thing.
“But there was a lot of heart and character in the game shown by everybody and it would have been a travesty had we lost.
“It was a hard-fought point against a good team against athletic players who can play.”
The Sky Blues finished the game with 10 men after Josh Wilson-Esbrand was sent off for two bookings on 85 minutes.
Robins felt Luton should have also been a man down when Gabriel Osho floored Viktor Gyokeres to concede the penalty.
He added: “He was fouled, dragged down and it denied a goal being scored.
“We have had players sent off for that.”
Luton arrived at the CBS Arena looking to make it four straight league wins and caught the hosts napping. Alfie Doughty, in
COVENTRY ............... 1
..................... 1 Lockyer 1 perpetual motion down the right-hand side, provided the cross from which Lockyer fired home.
The defender, who had only scored one other league goal for the Hatters, stuck out a leg and the ball was in the back of the net.
Cue a celebration inspired by Ally Pally miming a three-dart bullseye.
But the Sky Blues dug deep and might have equalised before Godden kept his cool from the spot. Luton boss Rob Edwards said: “A draw is never a bad result – but if you go on chances then we could have nicked it.
“It was a good advert for the Championship.
“I recognise it was a close game. Look at the stats, they work hard, press hard, they are better than their position.”
COVENTRY: Wilson 8; McNally 6, McFadzean 7, Doyle 7; Eccles 6 (NortonCuffy (69) 5), Hamer 7, Allen 6 (Bidwell (90) 5), Wilson-Esbrand 6; Palmer 7; Godden 6 (Walker (81) 5), Gyokeres 7
LUTON: Horvath 6; Burke 7, Lockyer 7, Osho 6; Doughty 8 (Onyedinma (65) 5), Nakamba 6, Mpanzu 7, Bell 7; Clark (Taylor (85) 5); Morris 6, Adebayo 6 (Woodrow (69) 6)
STAR MAN: Ben Wilson – Late double save from Woodrow kept Coventry in the hunt.
REF: Steve Martin 7