3/1 To Win
Graeme Shinnie rescued a point for Derby County at the Coventry Building Society Arena as they drew 1-1 with Coventry City in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Rams’ number four struck a volley in the 78th minute to ensure Derby recorded their fourth successive draw as they extended their unbeaten run to five games.
Coventry had taken the lead in the first half from the penalty spot as Matty Godden struck straight down the middle past the returning Kelle Roos, but Derby fought back well to ensure the points were shared.
The Rams were without manager Wayne Rooney who missed the game through illness, meaning Assistant Manager Liam Rosenior took the side in his absence.
With the manager in constant communication with the staff throughout the game, Derby started well and went close on seven minutes.
Buchanan found Ravel Morrison who took aim from 25 yards but saw his effort blocked. The ball was kept alive as Max Bird found the advancing Buchanan on the left but his teasing cross was just ahead of the onrushing forwards.
The Rams started to quiet the home supporters down as Kamil Jozwiak saw his shot from 25-yards blocked on 15 minutes, however, they kicked back into life soon after as the Sky Blues were awarded a penalty.
Buchanan was adjudged to have fouled Godden in the penalty area and he picked himself up to score the opening goal of the game, striking straight down the middle to give the home side the lead.
And the striker almost doubled his and Coventry’s advantage five minutes later as a cross into the box found Godden and his miskicked effort forced Kelle Roos to tip around the post.
The Rams were struggling to assert themselves in the game as Coventry took control of proceedings and dominated for large parts.
Godden again went close before the half time interval as he headed against the side netting from a corner.
With the Sky Blues leading at the break, the Rams needed a response and they brought on Louie Sibley and Colin Kazim-Richards within the first 15 minutes of the second half.
And it was Sibley had Derby’s first shot of the half just after the hour mark as he scooped his effort goalwards but it wasn’t troubling Simon Moore in the Coventry City goal.
The Rams grew into the game and enjoyed a sustained spell of possession which almost brought the equaliser through substitute Kazim-Richards.
A long ball over the top from central defender Phil Jagielka found Kazim-Richards who took the ball down on his chest and shot first time but the ball slid agonisingly onto the post and across goal.
Coventry thought they had extended their lead soon after as Callum O’Hare’s free kick rebounded against the crossbar and from the rebound, Godden headed home but he was flagged offside.
But, with Derby continuing to press, they were finally rewarded in the 78th minute as they netted the equaliser.
Kazim-Richards did well to hold the ball up, he played to Bynre on the right-hand side and his looped cross found Shinnie who volleyed into the corner to draw Derby level.
Derby had a spring in their step and dominated the final parts of the game. They were first to every ball and put the pressure on the home side.
But, they had to settle for a point at the Coventry Building Society Arena as they extended their unbeaten run to five games.
Coventry City: Moore, Clarke-Salter, McFadzean (C), O’Hare, Sheaf (Kelly 66’), Hyam, Gyokeres (Walker 66’), Maatsen, Dabo, Godden, Hamer.
Substitutes: Wilson, Jones, Allen, Waghorn, Kane.
Derby County: Roos, Byrne, Shinnie, Jagielka, Jozwiak (Sibley 54’), Bird, Lawrence (C), Morrison, Buchanan, Davies, Ebosele (Kazim-Richards 62’).
Substitutes: Marshall, Stearman, Watson, Thompson, Williams.
