BLACKWELL: LEEDS WORTHY OF POINT
Sporting Life
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell insisted his side fully deserved to claim the point which kept their automatic promotion hopes alive thanks to a late penalty against Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.
Northern Ireland international David Healy struck from the spot in the 88th minute after Sky Blues full-back Andrew Whing was judged to
have handled a cross from Eddie Lewis to claim a 1-1 draw.
The late goal cancelled out Gary McSheffrey's first-half strike - his 50th goal for the club - and denied Coventry their seventh successive home league victory.
Although they left it late, Blackwell said it was no more than his west Yorkshire side deserved.
He said: "I think that anyone who watched the game today cannot say that we deserved a least a point from it.
"Coventry defended stoutly and their keeper made several good saves and you can't help but wonder if it is going to be your day but credit to the lads they kept going."
The point cut Sheffield United's lead in second place to just four points and Leeds have a game in hand against Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
"It is certainly getting interesting," Blackwell said.
"At one point we were 17 points off automatic promotion but now it is only four and if we can win against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, it will be very interesting.
"Certainly my players are very confident."
Coventry boss Micky Adams was unhappy at the penalty he felt robbed his side of victory.
He said: "I think we had two chances to clear the ball in the run-up to the incident which we did not do and that disappoints me.
"I have seen decisions like that given but I got the feeling the referee was always going to give them something.
"I have a directive from the League Managers' Association not to criticise referees' performances in public so I do not want to say any more.
"I thought we were outstanding in the first half and played as well in football terms as we have at any point this season.
"Do not forget Leeds are third in the table and have quality players so we always knew they were going to come back at us.
"We defended brilliantly and put bodies on the line but unfortunately it was not enough."
Coventry, unbeaten at the Ricoh since early Noveber, dominated the first half and Dele Adebola saw his acrobatic overhead kick cleared off the line by Paul Butler in the 19th minute.
Six minutes later, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison rattled the bar with a thunderous 20-yard free-kick which Neil Sullivan got his fingertips to.
But the Sky Blues were not to be denied and opened the scoring in the 26th minute after a lovely work by Adebola.
The bustling striker beat Butler and Matthew Kilgallon before easing the ball into McSheffrey's path, who coolly stroked the ball past Sullivan for his 15th goal of the season.
A half-time pep talk by Blackwell did the trick as his side stepped up the pressure in the second half.
Rob Hulse, Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas all went close before Healy's late strike.
Sporting Life
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell insisted his side fully deserved to claim the point which kept their automatic promotion hopes alive thanks to a late penalty against Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.
Northern Ireland international David Healy struck from the spot in the 88th minute after Sky Blues full-back Andrew Whing was judged to
have handled a cross from Eddie Lewis to claim a 1-1 draw.The late goal cancelled out Gary McSheffrey's first-half strike - his 50th goal for the club - and denied Coventry their seventh successive home league victory.
Although they left it late, Blackwell said it was no more than his west Yorkshire side deserved.
He said: "I think that anyone who watched the game today cannot say that we deserved a least a point from it.
"Coventry defended stoutly and their keeper made several good saves and you can't help but wonder if it is going to be your day but credit to the lads they kept going."
The point cut Sheffield United's lead in second place to just four points and Leeds have a game in hand against Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
"It is certainly getting interesting," Blackwell said.
"At one point we were 17 points off automatic promotion but now it is only four and if we can win against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, it will be very interesting.
"Certainly my players are very confident."
Coventry boss Micky Adams was unhappy at the penalty he felt robbed his side of victory.
He said: "I think we had two chances to clear the ball in the run-up to the incident which we did not do and that disappoints me.
"I have seen decisions like that given but I got the feeling the referee was always going to give them something.
"I have a directive from the League Managers' Association not to criticise referees' performances in public so I do not want to say any more.
"I thought we were outstanding in the first half and played as well in football terms as we have at any point this season.
"Do not forget Leeds are third in the table and have quality players so we always knew they were going to come back at us.
"We defended brilliantly and put bodies on the line but unfortunately it was not enough."
Coventry, unbeaten at the Ricoh since early Noveber, dominated the first half and Dele Adebola saw his acrobatic overhead kick cleared off the line by Paul Butler in the 19th minute.
Six minutes later, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison rattled the bar with a thunderous 20-yard free-kick which Neil Sullivan got his fingertips to.
But the Sky Blues were not to be denied and opened the scoring in the 26th minute after a lovely work by Adebola.
The bustling striker beat Butler and Matthew Kilgallon before easing the ball into McSheffrey's path, who coolly stroked the ball past Sullivan for his 15th goal of the season.
A half-time pep talk by Blackwell did the trick as his side stepped up the pressure in the second half.
Rob Hulse, Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas all went close before Healy's late strike.