Exeter City slipped to their first league defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 away from home against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.
by Ben Strange 

An unfortunate Troy Brown own goal and a late finish from Devon Kelly-Evans secured victory for a Coventry side who created a host of chances.

Despite the Grecians’ attempts to rally from behind, they were unable to find their way back into the match despite some late chances.

City boss, Paul Tisdale, named the same starting eleven for the sixth consecutive match with the Grecians keen to continue their excellent form that had seen them pick up recent wins over Barnet and Crewe Alexandra.

It took until the 15-minute mark for either side to have an attempt on goal, largely due to a lengthy stoppage for a Peter Vincenti injury.

But it was the Coventry player who had the first attempt at goal after he shaped to cut inside and shoot, but his effort was well over Christy Pym’s goal.

The Grecians then had Troy Brown to thank as he made two important blocks off the line as the hosts began to turn up the pressure on a Grecians side who looked comfortable on the ball in midfield, but until that point, had been unable to threaten Lee Burge’s goal.

Half chances came and went for City in a low key first half, with opportunities predominantly coming through crosses towards the likes of Reuben Reid and Liam McAlinden, but the home side did well to put the forwards under pressure and clear.

As the fourth official lifted his board to show five minutes of added time to the first half, Pym made an excellent save down to his left.

The tricky Jodi Jones, who was Coventry’s main threat throughout the first period, cut inside from the right to shoot powerfully, but the City goalkeeper was equal to it as he held well.

Duckens Nazon then almost sent the hosts into the lead when he picked up the ball centrally and drove at the City backline, but thankfully for the Grecians he miscued his effort as it flew wide of the goal as the sides went into the break with the match goalless.

The home side began the second half sharply, again through Jones, as he skipped his way to the by-line but his cross was collected comfortably by Pym.

Jones then cut inside on 50 minutes and shot, but Craig Woodman was on hand to block bravely, as the Coventry winger struck the rebound well wide.

City’s first chance of the half came minutes later when they were given a free-kick just outside of the Coventry area, but Lloyd James’ effort which was on target, hit Holmes and diverted for a goal kick.

The home side then took the lead on 57 minutes when Jones picked up the rebound from his free kick and fired across goal taking an unfortunate deflection off Troy Brown to end up in the City goal.

Nazon then had an opportunity to double the host’s lead after he turned well in the box, but snatched at his shot as it dribbled wide of Pym’s goal.

Tisdale then looked to his bench as City searched for a way back into the match, as he introduced Dean Moxey and Hiram Boateng with 20 minutes to go.

But it was the home side that continued to look the more likely as they created another opportunity to go ahead when Chris Stokes’ thunderous effort cannoned off the cross bar.

As the game became stretched City continued to commit men forward with Holmes the obvious outlet, who was crossing dangerously.

But more chances came for the home side, through the likes of Maxime Biamou, whose effort from close range edged just wide of Pym’s near post.

The Grecians then had their best chance of the match on 88 minutes to level things when James threaded the ball through to Reid, who only had Burge to beat, but credit to the goalkeeper who rushed out well to block the City forward’s attempt.

The home side finally claimed their second of the match through Devon Kelly-Evans in injury time. As they broke free, the Coventry number 22 calmly slotted past Pym to secure the win for Coventry.

Coventry City: Burge, Grimmer, Stokes, Willis, McDonald, Kelly, Vincenti (Biamou, 21) Doyle, Jones, Kelly-Evans, Nazon

Subs not used: O’Brien, Biamou, Davies, Shipley, Maycock, Ponticelli, McNulty

Booked: Doyle

 Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Woodman (Boateng, 69), James, Tillson, Holmes, Moore-Taylor (Stockley, 45), McAlinden (Moxey, 69), Taylor, Reid, Brown

Subs not used: Hamon, Archibald-Henville, Jay, Edwards, Boateng

Booked: Tillson, Boateng

 Attendance: 8,340 (Inc, 1,221, away)