Paddy Madden’s early first-half goal was cancelled out by two second half goals as Fleetwood Town fell to a 2-1 defeat to Coventry City on Wednesday night.
Madden gave the Cod Army an early lead after tapping home his 10th league goal of the season, before two goals in under ten minutes condemned Joey Barton’s side to a 2-1 loss at St. Andrew’s.
Less than 10 minutes into the first half, Town got off to the perfect start when Josh Morris whipped in a cross which fell to the feet of Ched Evans, whose delicate effort hit the post and rolled to Madden, who was left with little to do in front of goal.
Moments later, Fleetwood were unlucky not to be two ahead when Evans fired in a free-kick from 25 yards, which the Sky Blues keeper could only parry to Madden. The forward squared it to Jack Sowerby in the centre of the box, but his scuffed effort was collected comfortably by the goalkeeper.
After a decent spell of possession for Coventry, the away side countered with Evans. who delivered a fantastic cross into Kyle Dempsey, whose powerful header on goal forced a superb diving save from Marko Marosi.
Soon after, Dempsey played a through-ball into Madden, but his chipped effort wasn’t enough to trouble the keeper.
Right on the stroke of half time, Morris continued to cause the home side problems when he found the feet of Madden at the back post. And with a delightful cross, the Town forward couldn’t quite get on the end of it.
Early in the second half, Morris set himself through down the right wing with a great touch after capitalising on Dominic Hyam slipping, but his cross failed to find the intended target.
Following the continued pressure from Town, Andrew found himself free down the left wing before laying off Evans on the edge of the box, but his effort again was blocked by the Coventry defender.
The second half lacked any clear chances for either side, but the Sky Blues started to pressure the Town back line with their changes they made at the interval.
And on the hour mark, the home side’s persistence paid off. Jimmy Dunne did well to get his body in the way to stop an effort destined for a goal, but Bakayoko was in the right place at the right time to power home to bring his side level.
And it wasn’t long before Coventry took the lead when a clumsy challenge from Dunne gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Alex Carins dived the right way, however Westbrooke’s penalty was too powerful for him to reach.
In the closing stages of the game, the momentum began to change for Joey Barton’s side as Town looked to find an equaliser.
In the last minute of regular time, Coyle picked out Evans with a great cross into the box, but the forward saw his effort fly over the crossbar.
Town will now look to bounce back on Saturday afternoon as they welcome MK Dons to Highbury Stadium.
Fleetwood XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle ©, Dunne, Souttar, Andrew, Rossiter, Morris (73’), Dempsey, Sowerby (73’), Evans, Madden (60’).
Unused Subs: Crellin, Biggins, Clarke, Southam
Coventry City XI: Marosi, Dabo, Rose, Hyam, McCallum, Westbrooke, Walsh (57’), Shipley (46’), O’Hare, Bakayoko, Hiwula (46’)
Unused Subs: Eccles, Kastaneer, Watson, Wilson