Late finish is just Fab
SUPER-SUB Fabio Tavares conjured up a 98th-minute equaliser as Coventry produced another late, late show at home.
Daniel Johnson’s 89th-minute penalty looked to have won it for Preston but Tavares had other ideas.
The Portuguese forward, 21, was thrown on in desperation by Sky Blues boss Mark Robins and four minutes later he delivered.
A free-kick was not cleared and he found space in the box to curl home into the far corner for his first senior goal for the club.
Preston manager Ryan Lowe was angry about how Tavares’ goal came in time added after two Coventry fans had run onto the pitch before Johnson’s spot-kick – causing a three-minute delay.
“It’s a hard one to take,” he said. “The referee gave six minutes and they played seven. We’ve been penalised for their fans running on the pitch.”
But Robins was having none of Lowe’s excuses.
“I’m sure he has complained about minutes being added on for people on the pitch,” he said. “What a load of c**p that is. To draw in the circumstances felt a real relief.”
For the first 80 minutes, the visitors were much the better side only for keeper Simon Moore to keep them at bay.
Liam Lindsay was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card yet North End launched a devastating break and
Emil Riis Jakobsen was brought down by Fankaty Dabo, who was shown a red card.
Johnson kept his cool from the spot, before Tavares had the final say.
COVENTRY: Moore 8; Hyam 6, Rose 6, Clarke-Salter 6; Kane 5 (Dabo 64, 3), Sheaf 6, Hamer 6, Maatsen 6; O’Hare 5 (Tavares 90); Gyokeres 5, Waghorn 6 (Bidwell 63, 5).
Subs not used: Wilson, McFadzean, Allen, Shipley.
PRESTON: Iversen 6; Van den Berg 7, Lindsay 4, Hughes 6; Potts 6, Browne 6, Whiteman 7, Johnson 6, Earl 6 (Riis Jakobsen 73, 5); Evans 7 (Ledson 90), Archer 6 (Diaby 90).
Subs not used: Ripley, McCann, Rafferty, Sinclair.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Simon Moore. Kept his team in the game with a string of fine saves.
REFEREE: Keith Stroud 6.