Coventry City 0-1 Notts County

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll joined Notts County in the summer and has been a key figure

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll played his second game in 24 hours and kept a clean sheet as Notts County beat Coventry City thanks to Garry Thompson's second-half strike.

Carroll played for his country in Friday night's 2-0 loss in Romania and did not arrive back in England until the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 37-year-old had little to do in a quiet first half which Notts edged.

Coventry improved after the break, but Thompson's cool finish won the points.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Roy Carroll on Notts v Coventry

Thompson showed great composure to capitalise on some poor home defending, running through and lifting the ball past keeper Ryan Allsop to take Notts up to fourth in the League One table.

The Sky Blues, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Worcester City last week and drop to 20th place, made an encouraging start.

They went close inside two minutes when Adam Barton's strike went just wide, but Notts got on top.

Mike Edwards came closest to scoring for the Magpies when his header was cleared off the line.

Coventry were the better side after the restart but still did not manage a shot on target.

Thompson on target
Garry Thompson has now scored six goals in his last six league matches for Notts County

Jack Finch missed a great chance when he shot over and, after Thompson's classy winner, they had strong late claims for a penalty but Notts held on.

Coventry City manager Steven Pressley told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:

"These are games we have to win. It was a fiercely-contested League One game. There was a real will to win, but one fundamental mistake cost us dearly.

"I thought we were the dominant team in the second half, and were playing with great desire. It's a lesson to us - one naive bit of defending cost us dearly.

"There is also a moment where the referee refuses to give us an absolute stonewall penalty. I was disappointed with the officiating today, but especially that decision. I felt it was a big call and he failed to make it.

"Our attitude was terrific today, but we must win these games."

Notts County goalkeeper Roy Carroll told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"For me playing back in the English league is fantastic and Shaun Derry (Notts manager) gave the chance to come back so it is a big pleasure for me.

"My flight was ten past six English time so it was an early start. I will probably feel it for the next two days.

"The lads did really well in front of me and I don't think I had a save to make."

Notts County chairman Ray Trew:

"I can't praise Roy highly enough. What he did went well above the call of duty, but epitomised everything that is right about Notts County at the moment.

"Shaun Derry spoke of his desire to get the right sorts of player in this season and I think what Roy has done for this club today shows exactly what the manager meant."

Garry Thompson's second-half goal was his sixth goal in his last six league games

Notts celebrate their winner, which takes them up to fourth in the League One table

Roy Carroll (right) is congratulated by Notts manager Shaun Derry, who has described his goalkeeper as the best in League One

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Coventry

• 23Allsop
• 2WillisSubstituted forPhillipsat 23'minutesBooked at 45minsSubstituted forSwansonat 78'minutes
• 4Webster
• 21Martin
• 26Haynes
• 11O'Brien
• 16Barton
• 27FinchBooked at 87mins
• 7Fleck
• 8Madine
• 19Nouble

Substitutes

• 6Thomas
• 9McQuoid
• 10Swanson
• 18Phillips
• 33Charles-Cook
• 35Kelly-Evans
• 36Maddison

Notts County

• 1Carroll
• 28Edwards
• 6Hollis
• 14McKenzie
• 3Adams
• 15Thompson
• 13Jones
• 16NobleBooked at 87mins
• 32McLaughlin
• 10MurraySubstituted forHarradat 90+2'minutes
• 11Thompson

Substitutes

• 8Wroe
• 23Speiss
• 25Traoré
• 26Whitehouse
• 29Bishop
• 31Harrad
• 33Cranston

Referee:

Michael Bull

Attendance:

8,116

Match Stats

Home TeamCoventryAway TeamNotts County

Possession

Home51%

Away49%

Shots

Home7

Away8

Shots on Target

Home0

Away5

Corners

Home4

Away4

Fouls

Home17

Away12

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Coventry City 0, Notts County 1.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+6'

Second Half ends, Coventry City 0, Notts County 1.

Substitution

Posted at 90'+2'

Substitution, Notts County. Shaun Harrad replaces Ronan Murray.

Posted at 90'+2'

John Fleck (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by Ronan Murray (Notts County).

Posted at 89'

Foul by Frank Nouble (Coventry City).

Posted at 89'

Taylor McKenzie (Notts County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 88'

Attempt missed. Adam Barton (Coventry City) header from the centre of the box is too high.

Posted at 88'

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Haydn Hollis.

Booking

Posted at 87'

Liam Noble (Notts County) is shown the yellow card.

Booking

Posted at 87'

Jack Finch (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 86'

Aaron Martin (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 86'

Foul by Garry Thompson (Notts County).

Posted at 85'

Foul by Frank Nouble (Coventry City).

Posted at 85'

Haydn Hollis (Notts County) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 82'

Attempt missed. Haydn Hollis (Notts County) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.

Posted at 82'

Foul by John Fleck (Coventry City).

Posted at 82'

Ronan Murray (Notts County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 81'

Attempt missed. Taylor McKenzie (Notts County) header from the centre of the box is too high.

Posted at 80'

Foul by John Fleck (Coventry City).

Posted at 80'

Ronan Murray (Notts County) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 79'

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Stephen McLaughlin.

Substitution

Posted at 78'

Substitution, Coventry City. Danny Swanson replaces Aaron Phillips.

Posted at 77'

Attempt missed. Frank Nouble (Coventry City) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.

Posted at 75'

Gary Madine (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 75'

Foul by Gary Jones (Notts County).

Posted at 74'

(Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 74'

Foul by Michael Edwards (Notts County).

Posted at 74'

Foul by Aaron Martin (Coventry City).

Posted at 74'

Garry Thompson (Notts County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Goal!

Posted at 72'

Goal! Coventry City 0, Notts County 1. Garry Thompson (Notts County) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ronan Murray.

Posted at 69'

Attempt missed. John Fleck (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

Posted at 67'

Attempt missed. Gary Madine (Coventry City) right footed shot from long range on the right is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.

Posted at 66'

Jim O'Brien (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 66'

Foul by Liam Noble (Notts County).

Posted at 65'

Foul by Jim O'Brien (Coventry City).

Posted at 65'

Stephen McLaughlin (Notts County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 63'

Foul by Gary Madine (Coventry City).

Posted at 63'

Michael Edwards (Notts County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 61'

Gary Madine (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Show more updates