Gray on target to torment Tykes

Coventry extend impressive start to season

Last updated: 16th August 2008

Coventry v Leicester Chris Coleman

Coleman: Barnsley victory

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Julian Gray hit a second-half winner for Coventry as he continued to torment Barnsley.

The winger was on target in the Sky Blues' victories over the Tykes last term, and proved to be the match-winner once again in an entertaining encounter at Oakwell.

The visitors found themselves in front against the run of play in the 11th minute - when Freddy Eastwood fired a cross in from the right which evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner.

It was Eastwood's first goal for almost a year, the last coming against Blackpool on 25th August, and it gave his side a surprise lead in South Yorkshire.

Brian Howard's clinical finish on the stroke of half-time earned the hosts a deserved equaliser. But Gray's 68th-minute strike and Iain Hume's red card made for a miserable second half for the Reds, who have now lost three games on the spin.

New signing Teale went straight into the Barnsley starting line-up, with manager Simon Davey missing eight first-team players because of injury and suspensions.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman made one change to the side which beat Norwich 2-0 last Saturday - Michael Mifsud, who impressed against Aldershot in midweek, replacing injured right-back Stephen Wright. That meant Aron Gunnarsson moved into defence, with Mifsud on the right of midfield.

The hosts created a few early half-chances, Diego Leon the main architect in some adventurous play.

It was from an inswinging Leon corner that Barnsley almost took the lead.

Darren Moore showed real strength to meet the cross on the edge of the six-yard box, but his powerful header was brilliantly saved by Kieren Westwood.

Advantage

Just as the Tykes looked like pressing home their advantage, the visitors went in front through Eastwood's cross-shot.

The goal deflated the hosts, forced back by City for large periods of the opening half, and they almost found themselves further behind with Elliott Ward struck the post with a header.

But with only a minute left before half-time, Howard pounced to send the Tykes in at the break on level terms.

The second half began like the first, Barnsley doing most of the pressing without really testing Westwood - and their lacklustre finishing proved costly when Gray picked up a pass from Eastwood before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Despite throwing strikers Kayode Odejayi and Maceo Rigters into action late in the second half, Barnsley continued to struggle in front of goal - and their task became even harder when summer signing Hume was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Mifsud 10 minutes from time.