ACCRINGTON STANLEY - 0

COVENTRY CITY - 1

ACCRINGTON Stanley were beaten for the first time in three matches as Bright Enobakhare's second half goal was enough to give Coventry City the three points.

The match was short of goal mouth action as the bobbly pitch played a part in the quality of play.

Two minutes in and Tom Bayliss almost opened the scoring for the visitors. The midfielder unleashed a strike from 25-yards that went just wide.

Minutes later, up the other end, Paul Smyth worked the ball on to his left foot and curled a shot towards the far post. He was unable to wrap his foot around it enough.

The game quickly settled in to a rhythm as both sides defended whatever the other had to throw at them.

With five minutes remaining, Smyth is fouled on the edge of the box and Sean McConville stepped up to take the free-kick.

The number 11 got his effort over the wall, but it curled just wide of the post.

A poor first half was then brought to a halt by referee Peter Wright.

The second half started much like how the first period went; both teams looking to play, but the two defences standing strong.

Coventry's goal came on the hour mark as Enobakhare received the ball on the edge of the box, after some tenacious midfield play, and coolly slotted home.

John Coleman responded by instantly making a double substitution as Smyth and Sam Finley made way for Adam Armstrong and Scott Brown.

Coventry and Enobakhare almost got their second of the afternoon as the number 24's free kick evaded everyone in the box and almost crept in at the far post.

With five minutes to go, Coventry thought they'd won the game as Jordy Hiwula had the ball in the net.

The wide man was flagged for offside.

Dimi Evtimov made a fantastic save in stoppage time as Luke Thomas looked certain to make it 2-0.

Stanley: Evtimov; Johnson, Hughes, Donacien, Gibson (80' Zanzala); Clark, Finley (61' Brown), Barlaser, McConville; Smyth (61' Armstrong), Kee

Unused subs: Maxted, Richards-Everton, Rodgers, Shah

Coventry: Lee Burge; Sterling, Willis, Hyam, Mason; Kelly, Bayliss, Shipley (58' Thomas), Enobakhare; Hiwula, Bakayoko

Unused subs: Addai, Grimmer, Davies, Westbrooke, Meyler, Bremang