Micky Mellon hails Tranmere’s “battling” spirit after Coventry win

Manager Micky Mellon praised Tranmere’s “battling” spirit as they defeated Coventry 1-0 in Sunday’s Sky Bet League One clash at St Andrew’s.

A late Corey Blackett-Taylor goal was enough to give the away side maximum points in a classic smash-and-grab performance which saw hosts Coventry have 19 attempts on goal.

The Rovers manager said: “We kept battling, kept fighting and that’s what won it.

“Corey is such a talent, he wasn’t getting quite at it in the first half but we switched him to up front – the finish was fantastic. It’s one of them you say stays hit, right into the bottom corner.

“Results are massive, and there is no getting away from that, so what we concentrate on is making sure we get the performance right and keep trying to improve.

“We’ve got promoted very fast so we offer the players support, get them to the best they can be and up to League One level.

“We believe if we keep improving the players, give them the desire and the belief they will give us results like this, and keep the qualities we need to keep improving.”

Coventry were largely in control from the off but created little in the first half with Jordy Hiwula going closest with a miss-hit volley which went over the crossbar.

The Sky Blues’ dominance continued in the second half and they created several clear-cut opportunities to take the lead.

Matty Godden alone had three fantastic chances to give his side the lead, but the striker failed to make the Tranmere defence pay.

Coventry were then punished for the lack of ruthlessness in from of goal on 83 minutes when Blacket-Taylor latched on to a Keiron Morris flick to drill a fantastic left-footed effort past Marko Marosi.

Coventry manager Mark Robins lamented his side’s wastefulness in front of goal after the game.

He said: “It’s really frustrating. When you create the chances we did and controlled the game like we did, you expect to win.

“Football’s cruel at times, if you don’t take your chances you are at risk of being on the end of results like that.

“It is a smash-and-grab but we have to keep our heads, keep positive and keep creating chances.

“We were on top for all of that game, but one little slip, the players were out of position, and you know they are going to have a shot – and that’s what happened.

“He hit it unbelievably well, it’s flown in which is disappointing – it stings, but if you don’t take your chances it happens.

“We’re hurting, definitely, but you have to take it on the chin and you have to deal with it.”