Match ends, Coventry City 0, Notts County 1.
CoventryCoventry City0Notts CountyNotts County1
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.
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."
Line-ups
Coventry
Formation 4-4-2
- 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
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 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
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Coventry City 0, Notts County 1.
Substitution
Substitution, Notts County. Shaun Harrad replaces Ronan Murray.
Post update
John Fleck (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Ronan Murray (Notts County).
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Foul by Frank Nouble (Coventry City).
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Taylor McKenzie (Notts County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Adam Barton (Coventry City) header from the centre of the box is too high.
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Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Haydn Hollis.
Booking
Liam Noble (Notts County) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Jack Finch (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Aaron Martin (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Garry Thompson (Notts County).
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Foul by Frank Nouble (Coventry City).
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Haydn Hollis (Notts County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt missed. Haydn Hollis (Notts County) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
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Foul by John Fleck (Coventry City).
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Ronan Murray (Notts County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Taylor McKenzie (Notts County) header from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Foul by John Fleck (Coventry City).
