Match ends, Coventry City 1, Fleetwood Town 2.
CoventryCoventry City1FleetwoodFleetwood Town2
Steven Pressley's Fleetwood earned a key win in their battle against League One relegation as he marked his return to the Ricoh Arena with victory over his old club Coventry City.
Fleetwood took a 56th-minute lead when Wes Burns headed in David Ball's cross.
The Sky Blues hit back to level when substitute Marcus Tudgay fired in on 75 minutes from Adam Armstrong's cut-back.
But Ball fired in an 83rd-minute winner from 20 yards to send Fleetwood two points clear of the relegation zone.
Pressley was making his first return to the Ricoh Arena since being sacked in February 2015.
While Pressley's Cod Army climb to 19th, his former club Coventry remain sixth, 12 points adrift of leaders Burton Albion ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Barnsley.
Fleetwood now have four of their next five games at home, but all of them are against promotion-chasing sides, including three of the current top four.
Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:
"We huffed and puffed and didn't quite blow their house down. They're a decent football team and probably in a false position.
"It's frustrating for us, especially when we got back to 1-1 and we should have gone on to win from there.
"But we have to accept it and put the defeat behind us."
Fleetwood manager Steven Pressley:
"I'm very proud of my players. The only disappointment that I have is that it was only 2-1 in the end, because it should have been much, much more than that.
"It wasn't just the win that impressed me, it was the manner of it. It's difficult as a manager to individualise any player after such a performance, because it was one of real quality.
"The reaction was terrific after the setback we had at Rochdale on Tuesday evening, but to take six points from nine is a good achievement."
Line-ups
Coventry
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23Charles-Cook
- 18Ricketts
- 15Stephens
- 38Cargill
- 3Stokes
- 4VincelotBooked at 22mins
- 7FleckBooked at 78mins
- 25MurphySubstituted forTudgayat 65'minutes
- 10MaddisonSubstituted forFortunéat 65'minutes
- 14ColeSubstituted forLameirasat 65'minutes
- 9A Armstrong
Substitutes
- 8Lameiras
- 12Lorentzson
- 16Rose
- 20Tudgay
- 22Ramage
- 32Fortuné
- 43Addai
Fleetwood
Formation 4-3-2-1
- 1Maxwell
- 15Nirennold
- 31Nilsson
- 47Davis
- 7Bell
- 18SarcevicSubstituted forSowerbyat 78'minutes
- 5Jónsson
- 8Ryan
- 23Ball
- 11BurnsSubstituted forAmeobiat 82'minutes
- 22HunterSubstituted forColeat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Ameobi
- 14Grant
- 27Haughton
- 28Sowerby
- 30Harris
- 40Gogic
- 44Cole
- Referee:
- Andy Davies
- Attendance:
- 11,160
Match Stats
Home TeamCoventryAway TeamFleetwood
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away7
- Corners
- Home5
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Coventry City 1, Fleetwood Town 2.
Post update
Corner, Fleetwood Town. Conceded by Jack Stephens.
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Attempt saved. Victor Nirennold (Fleetwood Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Eggert Jónsson (Fleetwood Town).
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Sam Ricketts (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Devante Cole (Fleetwood Town).
Goal!
Goal! Coventry City 1, Fleetwood Town 2. David Ball (Fleetwood Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner.
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Attempt saved. Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Fleetwood Town. Shola Ameobi replaces Wes Burns.
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Attempt missed. Baily Cargill (Coventry City) header from the centre of the box is too high from a direct free kick.
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Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Eggert Jónsson (Fleetwood Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Fleetwood Town. Jack Sowerby replaces Antoni Sarcevic.
Booking
John Fleck (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by John Fleck (Coventry City).
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David Ball (Fleetwood Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Romain Vincelot (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Goal!
Goal! Coventry City 1, Fleetwood Town 1. Marcus Tudgay (Coventry City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adam Armstrong.
