FOOTBALL – Coventry City slip to defeat at Luton but remain in play-off places
COVENTRY City suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat away at relegation-threatened Luton Town as both teams finished the game with 10-men.
The Sky Blues had Jay Dasilva sent off after just 13 minutes before former City man Liam Walsh saw red on 68 minutes at Kenilworth Road.
And Luton snatched the points in the final minute after a defensive mix-up allowed Shandon Baptiste to finish into an empty net with Luis Binks unable to clear on the line.
The result means Coventry remain sixth in the Championship table, inside the play-off places on goal difference.
The game burst into life on 13 minutes as Millenic Alli looked to latch onto a ball in-behind the Sky Blues only for Dasilva to accidentally clip the defender’s heels with his knee.
Referee Oliver Langford took little time to send off Dasilva, deeming the defender to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Luton dominated the game thereafter as Carlton Morris headed wide from close range.
And Bradley Collins then pushed Thelo Aasgaard’s powerful effort over the crossbar.
The home side went close again after the break as Aasgaard saw his curling effort deflected behind by Liam Kitching.
Collins then superbly tipped Walsh’s shot from distance onto the crossbar with the Coventry goalkeeper at full stretch to keep the scores level.
And Collins came to City’s rescue again soon after as he raced off his line to deny Lamine Fanne when one-on-one.
Luton continued to pepper the Coventry goal as Alli fired a low effort against the post via the aid of a deflection.
A flashpoint arose on 68 minutes when Isaiah Jones won a free-kick for Luton on the edge of the Coventry penalty area.
The two sets of players clashed in the penalty and the referee showed a straight red card to Walsh after the midfielder gently pushed Binks to the ground.
Langford then only brandished a yellow card to Jones who kicked out at Josh Eccles after the Coventry man pulled the wing-back’s shirt close to the touchline.
However, Luton won the game in the final minute as a mix-up between Collins and Kitching presented a chance for substitute Baptiste in the box.
Baptiste fired a low shot towards goal with Binks only able to direct the ball inside his own post in his attempt to clear.
Coventry finish the season with a home game against Middlesbrough on Saturday, May 3 with kick-off at 12.30pm at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Championship play-off race: How Millwall get in, predicted table and permutations for final day
Millwall still have hope aplenty of reaching the play-offs heading into their final game of the season. The Lions picked up a big win over Swansea City over the weekend, and with Coventry City losing elsewhere, they are now just goal difference from the top six.
Alex Neil’s men have fought tooth and nail to remain in the top six race, and while they have it tough for the last game of the season, facing Burnley, they go into that game with a genuine opportunity of making it in, and that alone will be seen as real success. Here we take a look at the play-off race and how the Lions can sneak in.
