It could have been different, City hit the post when Earnie looked certain score after a minute. City spent much of the half around the Coventry box only to find 9 defenders and the keeper blocking up all the space.
In fairness to Coventry they closed down well and defended in numbers. They quite literally put their bodies on the line by blocking all we could muster. City were lethargic in their approach and even when injury time was announced at the end of the first half they were content to play across the back four instead of getting forward.
City were caught out again by a sucker punch. Sloppy defending saw a misplaced back pass go out for a corner. The resulting kick came near post and a Coventry player, Barrett, was first to it to head home.
The tension was growing with Earnie a lone figure getting no scraps to feed on. The linesman running alongside the Bob Bank in City's attacking half was more concerned with a fancy wave of his flag that actually getting decisions right. One in particular was a farce when Alan Lee was backing into a Coventry defender. Lee was judged offside despite the defender being behind him.
The daft wave and equally daft decisions followed in the second half as well. I was sat in line a couple of extremely poor calls. The criteria was where the player was when the linesman looked rather than when the ball was played.
I commented at half time that Earnie was being ignored. He'd look to make runs that were not appreciated by the defence or midfield and as a result we passed all over the pitch without the killer pass to our prolific striker.
Half time came. A small amount boo'd, mostly it was stunned silence.
Second half and City had an extra edge. The pace had stepped up and finally we started to stretch the visitors and found the razor sharp incision to cut through the 10 man defence.
For once a swift ball was played over the top. John Robinson reacted quickest and was able to turn in the box and cross. It all came right for Earnie who twisted in mid air to volley an acrobatic kick through the keeper and it was 1 - 1. The somersault followed and the tension was released. City had their tails up.
This goal forced Coventry out of their shell slightly. They were not prepared to just give in and had to move forward themselves. Space opened up and City could start the thrust towards goal. Only 7 mins after Earnie scored City took the lead. City won a free kick wide left. Kav crossed and Lee Bullock rose to head home and make it 2 - 1. Thats 4 goals in 6 league starts for Bullock.
On the pitch City were looking for a third but Coventry came back and pressed. They made three quick substitutions but City were holding firm (just). There was a panic in the stand everytime a cross came in. They were dealt with though and as the clocked ticked down Lennie appeared to be reluctant to make any changes. He was slaughtered on the weekend for upsetting the apple cart at Crewe. The inclusion of Collins was soon followed by a goal conceded which lost us 2 points.
This time he waited until late and brought off Earnshaw for Campbell. Andy's fist action was to break free but he was ahead of the play and his cross was cleared.
City had to endure 4 mins of stoppage time in which Coventry launched balls towards the City box. There were some scares, a few wayward shots that hit the back walls of the Canton Stand and some catches by Margetson, headers away by Page and his defenders.
The relief and buzz when the final whistle went was electric. With the way other results went City are now in 3rd place. Joint top with Wigan and Plymouth.
The Pilgrims come to Ninian Park on Friday. It's live on Sky and for just under 24 hours at least the winners will top the Coca Cola Championship (Division 1).
After being critical of Lennie and the players on Saturday for their late lapse I'll give them credit today for their second half battling and the way they were able to come back.
We'll see many "Coventry's" at Ninian Park this season who will be content to soak up pressure and hit on the break. Let's hope we can be better than that and make Ninian Park a home banker.
Friday could be a cracker.