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Stand-in Coventry boss Adrian Heath did his chances of landing the job on a
permanent basis no harm as his side lifted some of the gloom around Highfield
Road with an FA Cup third-round victory over Crewe.
Just three days after manager Peter Reid departed, the Sky Blues flew into the
fourth round, as two goals from Gary McSheffrey and one from Stern John ripped
Crewe apart.
The Sky Blues have slipped to 20th in the Coca Cola Championship with just two
wins in their last eight games, but their chances of FA Cup survival were
boosted before kick-off with Crewe's leading scorer Dean Ashton left out with
his transfer to Norwich apparently imminent.
City started with vigour and energy with the fit-again Andy Morrell looking
lively up front with John. In contrast, Crewe striker Mark Rivers - back in the
side after illness - cut a lonely figure up front as the visitors were pushed
back in their own half.
So it was no surprise when City took the lead on 24 minutes. John almost
stabbed the ball home from close range, only for it to be cleared as far as
in-form midfielder McSheffrey who fired in off the post to claim his third goal
of the season.
But, despite maintaining much of the pressure, Sky Blues were let off the hook
when Crewe's Luke Varney headed just wide nine minutes before half-time.
City, though, finished the half strongly and deservedly went 2-0 up when John
picked up Morrell's drive from the right and fired home with aplomb from eight
yards on the stroke of half-time.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi pushed Varney up front with Rivers in the second half
but it did little to ignite his side's attack.
City keeper Luke Steele spilled midfielder Neil Sorvel's 25-yard effort but,
in truth, it was all the home side in the second half.
Coventry sealed their passage to the fourth round with McSheffrey's second
goal on 69 minutes.
It came from a peach of a pass with the outside of former Arsenal man Stephen
Hughes' left foot to find McSheffrey unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box
where he made no mistake with the finish.
With City now cruising, the visitors offered little and caretaker boss Heath
can look forward to his team going into the hat for Monday's fourth-round draw.
Teams
Coventry Steele, Carey (Leacock 45), Williams, Shaw, Staunton,
Morrell (Jorgensen 78), Doyle, Hughes, Wood, McSheffrey,
John (Suffo 78).
Subs Not Used: Shearer, Johnson.
Goals: McSheffrey 25, John 45, McSheffrey 69.
Crewe Ince, Moses, Walker, Foster, Steve Jones (McCready 45),
Lunt, Sorvel, Bell, Vaughan, Varney (White 79), Rivers.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Cochrane, Rix.
Att: 7,629
Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).
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