Dean Gordon plunged Coventry back into relegation trouble by hitting a
spectacular late winner for Middlesbrough at Highfield Road.
Gordon struck a volley through a ruck of players and past injured Sky Blues
'keeper Magnus Hedman eight minutes from time.
It kept alive Middlesbrough's hopes of claiming the fifth spot in the
Premiership that is likely to earn them a place in the Inter Toto Cup.
But for Coventry their almost annual fight to stay in the top flight is again
looming as Bryan Robson's side extended their unbeaten run to seven games.
And City manager Gordon Strachan must have been wondering if he made the right
decision in keeping the injured Hedman on the pitch.
The Swedish number one was clearly handicapped by a leg injury after a second
minute collision with Middlesbrough defender Gary Pallister.
He appeared in the first half to be gesticulating to come off but Strachan
opted against throwing 17-year-old Chris Kirkland into a pressure cooker
situation.
However, it looked to prove costly as Hedman remained rooted to the spot when
Boro substitute Vladimir Kinder scored the opener from 25 yards out.
The home side rallied and skipper Gary McAllister scored a deserved equaliser
and then only some splendid saves by Boro 'keeper Mark Schwarzer kept his side
in the hunt.
But then came that Gordon decider which leaves Coventry's survival in the top
flight continuing to hang by a thread.
The home side looked the more menacing with Darren Huckerby causing problems
with his pace.
But Middlesbrough, inspired by Colin Cooper's rock solid display and
Schwarzer's heroics weathered the storm and plunged the dagger into Strachan's
side.
The opening 45 minutes were dreadful as both sides showed the expected
commitment but precious little in terms of quality.
Neither Hedman nor Schwarzer were called upon to make a single save during
that period.
Huckerby provided most of the few moments of excitement with his pace on the
left flank for Coventry and he was denied by a vital tackle from Cooper after a
good through ball from McAllister. He then fired into the side netting after
turning Boro substitute Vladimir Kinder inside out.
Kinder had replaced Gary Pallister, substituted following that early,
sickening clash with Hedman after an Andy Townsend corner.
Boro midfielder Keith O'Neill was fortunate to escape with a booking after a
dreadful looking tackle from behind on Sky Blues midfielder Trond Soltvedt.
O'Neill also incurred the wrath of the Coventry fans who thought he had pushed
Soltvedt in the box following a cross from Huckerby but referee Jones waved play
on.
John Aloisi, recalled to the Coventry starting line-up, sent a header over the
top and McAllister had a shot blocked by Steve Baker - but that was the sum
total of the first half entertainment.
The second half was brighter in comparision and Hedman was grateful that
Ricard did not make better contact with a centre from Gordon and he was able to
save comfortably.
But Coventry were soon back in the ascendancy with Kinder again given a
testing time by Huckerby on the flank.
Huckerby forced the first meaningful save out of Schwarzer after 53 minutes
with a low drive in the area after good play by John Aloisi.
Then Noel Whelan had a goal disallowed for a foul on Schwarzer following a
looping centre from Huckerby.
But after 64 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock with a swift
counter-attack.
Alun Armstrong released Kinder down the centre and his low 25-yard drive flew
past Hedman who did not move a muscle as the ball ended up in the corner of the
net.
Coventry retaliated and needed only eight minutes to get back on level terms.
McAllister played a one-two with Aloisi and then held off the challenge of
Vickers before planting a low shot past Schwarzer.
It was the signal for a grandstand finish by the Sky Blues - with Schwarzer
twice denying them with vital saves.
First he raced out to block an effort from Aloisi who had rode the challenge
of Vickers before advancing into the area.
Then in more spectacular fashion Schwarzer tipped over a swerving effort from
Huckerby - but then up stepped Gordon to silence the home fans.
Teams
Coventry: Hedman, Breen (Clement 88), Shaw, Williams, Burrows,
Boateng, Soltvedt, McAllister, Whelan, Aloisi, Huckerby.
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, M. Hall, Konjic, P. Hall.
Booked: Breen.
Goals: McAllister 72.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Vickers, Pallister (Kinder 16), Cooper,
Gordon, Maddison, Townsend, O'Neill, Baker, Deane,
Ricard (Armstrong 62), Kinder (Mustoe 90).
Subs Not Used: Beresford, Summerbell.
Booked: O'Neill, Kinder.
Goals: Kinder 64, Gordon 82.
Att: 19,231
Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).
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