Charlton edged closer to safety with a hard fought 1-1 draw at the Ricoh on Friday afternoon. The result condemned Coventry to relegation.
Karl Robinson named an unchanged team for the first time in his Valley tenure. His team surprisingly played in their purple change kit, rather than red and white.
The game was delayed when fans of both sides threw sponge pigs on to the pitch just before kick-off. Seconds after the game started, a second wave of pigs were thrown on to the pitch and referee, Darren Handley, took the teams back to the dressing rooms.
The first-half was played in a surreal atmosphere, it was akin to a pre-season friendly.
The Addicks should have taken the lead after 20 minutes. Jay Dasilva delivered a pinpoint cross from the left. Nathan Byrne had a free header, and rattlled the bar, but he should have done better.
The visitors were made to rue that miss nine minutes later. The Sky Blues took a short corner on the right, and played the ball across the edge of the area. Eventually it fell to Coventry’s star man, George Thomas, who turned the ball home.
Declan Rudd had a busy afternoon, and was called upon to make a number of smart saves.
Charlton restored parity ten minutes after the interval. Ricky Holmes’ left-wing corner was flicked on by Josh Magennis for Patrick Bauer to head into the roof of the net.
Coventry responded positively, knowing anything other than a win would mean relegation to League Two.
Rudd had to be at his best to foil Thomas and Jody Jones.
The Sky Blues threw everybody forward late on, as they went in search of that elusive second goal.
Keeper, Lee Burge, went up for corners, and was left stranded when Magennis’ speculative long raange effort bounced narrowly wide of the unguarded net.
A draw was a fair result, though it was of little use to Mark Robins’ side.
Charlton: Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva; Byrne, Ulvestad, Crofts, Konsa (Forster- Caskey 59), Holmes Aribo 78); Magennis.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Teixeira, Jackson, Botaka, Watt.
Goal: Bauer 55.
Booked: Crofts 60 (foul).
Coventry: Burge; Willis (Foley 73), Rawson, Turnbull, Haynes; G Thomas, Stephenson,Bigirimana, Lameiras, Jones (Reid 76); Beavon ( K Thomas 46).
Subs (not used): Charles-Cook, Stokes, Reilly, Tudgay.
Goal: G Thomas 28.
Booked: Jones 71 (foul). Stevenson 82 (foul).
Referee: Darren Handley (Lancashire).
Attn: 9,479.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic