McKinlay shows quality in fractious derby

Coventry City 1 Leicester City

The fixtures had been unkind to Coventry, forcing them to meet the First Division's top two teams in a week. But the humiliating experience of the first match certainly inspired them in the second at Highfield Road yesterday.

Obviously Leicester were optimistic that the opposition had been softened up by a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Portsmouth on Wednesday. Of late the Coventry defence has been looking frail while, despite needing a hernia operation which he will be having next week while suspended, Leicester's Paul Dickov has been consistently finding the target. So, in theory, Coventry might just as well have spent the beautiful afternoon in the garden. In reality they made it no picnic for high-flying Leicester.

Gary McAllister, Coventry's player-manager, wrote a scathing article in yesterday's programme describing their performance against Ports-mouth as "shambolic''. He also confirmed last night that he had started work on paying off "three or four players to allow the club to go on". He added: "I knew that when I took on the job."In the meantime, he made five changes for yesterday's game, leaving out, among others, Julian Joachim and Youssef Chippo.

The initial effect was to give Coventry a more competitive edge that soon brought about some fiery exchanges. John Eustace's hefty challenge on Jordan Stewart brought him the first booking, which was soon followed by Leicester's Trevor Benjamin being cautioned for fouling Andrew Whing.

Leicester pushed Stewart forward, while Muzzy Izzet's pace was one reason why Coventry needed plenty of muscle to repel the broader range of Leicester's attacks. The underlying ill-feeling continued to keep the referee, David Elleray, fully occupied, with Gerry Taggart and Jamie Scowcroft added to the bookings and Dickov acting like a sending-off wanting to happen.

Elleray failed to endear himself to Coventry when he awarded an indirect free-kick rather than a penalty after Taggart felled Jay Bothroyd in the area. The game badly needed a goal to concentrate minds on the real task, but it was 43 minutes in coming.

Under pressure, Coventry managed to clear their lines, but only as far as Billy McKinlay 25 yards out. He hardly bothered to take aim but hit an unstoppable shot through the crowd and beyond Morten Hyldgaard to register his first goal for Leicester. The quality of the strike was out of keeping withthe ugly rough-and- tumble of the game as a whole.

The same was true of Leicester's second goal in the 67th minute. Callum Davidson broke away on the left, looking offside, and his cross was well driven in off the body of Hyldgaard by Scowcroft. Immediately, McAllister brought on Matt Jansen, and the manager's decision, combined with his own deep centre, allowed Jansen to head in with his first touch. Suddenly Coventry were in with a real chance.

Leicester had to stand firm defensively. Matt Elliott stood firmer than most, leading from the back – encouraging, defiant and the epitome of an inspiring captain.

Coventry City 1
Jansen 71

Leicester City 2
McKinlay 48, Scowcroft 68

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 16,610