Robins encouraged as Coventry edge out Plymouth

Coventry manager Mark Robins hopes his team’s 1-0 win over Plymouth could be just the boost they need in the early stages of their League one return.

Sierra Leone striker Amadou Bakayoko’s first-half penalty clinched the points from a tight game which required the hosts to survive a nervy finale against opponents reduced to ten men through the 58th minute dismissal of Jamie Ness.

“That’s good for confidence and also we’ve had some real good cameos, some of the players there are performing,” Robins said.

“It’s great having competition for places and people are going to have to be on their game to stay in the team.

“There were loads of openings, it was just that last finishing touch was missing. We managed to get a penalty which Bakayoko took and obviously he’s off the mark now, so that’s good for him.

“He’s scored the winner so that’s brilliant for his confidence. There were also a number of other good performances where players were trying things, being brave on the ball and taking passes under pressure and the movement was good.

“The amount of chances we’ve had that we haven’t scored nearly gave me a heart attack. But it’s a great three points, first win at home and the second clean sheet in a row.”

After a half short on goalmouth action, the home fans were delighted when referee Darren Drysdale adjudged Jordy Hiwula to have been tripped as he cut into the visitors’ penalty area, and Bakayoko made no mistake from the spot.

The loss of Ness for a second yellow card – for handball – then left Plymouth with a mountain to climb in the closing half-hour.

Plymouth boss Derek Adams was philosophical about the penalty decision, but was unhappy about Ness’ second yellow card.

“It was a difficult afternoon for us conceding another penalty kick and getting a sending off which I thought was harsh,” he said.

“The first booking was correct, and unfortunately the ball hit his hand for the second one. But a number of their players who committed fouls and kicked the ball away really should have been booked as well.

“If you’re going to referee the game to the letter of the book, don’t then not do them later. You have to be very careful about how your referee the match if that’s the way you’re going to go about things.

“I didn’t see Coventry troubling us this afternoon as I thought we looked defensively sound. They huffed and puffed but were never going to play through us.

“We were better in the second half, even down to ten players, and when we put balls forward they looked nervous and went deeper and deeper.”