COVENTRY 1 CITY 0

WHEN Steve Davies burst from the bench to score with his first touch against Scunthorpe last month, nobody thought lightning could strike twice.

But last night, Coventry sub Andy Rose made the striker look ponderous in comparison when he needed only 20 seconds to plunge a dagger in City’s play-off hopes.

Rose spectacularly settled matters with a flying volley – and Phil Parkinson’s mood darkened further when Davies was red-carded near the end for an off-the-ball incident.

So City’s first defeat in six games has tightened things up considerably as results around them were not good. It looks like the play-off race will go right down to the wire.

Coventry could celebrate a first win in ten against City – since thumping them 4-0 at Highfield Road 15 years ago in front of the ITV Digital cameras in the final game of Jim Jefferies’ reign.

Coventry’s demise this season has been spectacular – even if they retain a very distant sniff of the top six.

They led the league when they visited Valley Parade at the end of November and began the year 13 points ahead of the Bantams. Before last night’s game, that gap had gone to 11 the other way.

The Sky Blues had been a fixture in the play-off spots until March 5 but still require snookers for their first top-six finish in any division for 46 years.

City are still in there with three to go – but their advantage has been narrowed to just two points. There are plenty of tense times to come.

Once again, it was a familiar story of chances being created and not taken – Billy Clarke was guilty of the biggest straight after the Coventry goal.

Jamie Proctor was over his stiff back which had allowed Parkinson to name the same side for a third time in a row.

They looked to carry on the attacking intent from Shrewsbury with another positive opening in front of a boisterous away end.

City were sharp to seize on any Coventry slips as Billy Clarke saw a shot blocked after picking Joe Cole’s pocket and Proctor screwed an effort wide from 20 yards.

Lee Evans and Josh Cullen were pinging the ball around trying to launch the visitors on the attack at every opportunity.

Cullen, relishing the chance to play against West Ham legend Cole, let fly with a decent long-range effort that flew just over.

Tony McMahon was bang up for it and slid in to nick the ball off Cole to launch another City raid. His low cross-shot narrowly eluded the far post and the sliding Proctor.

Coventry skipper Sam Ricketts looked a threat on their left side and cut inside to curl one over the bar as the game continued to open up.

The Sky Blues appealed in vain for a foul in the box as Adam Armstrong and Nathan Clarke clashed but most of the game was being played in the home half.

Romain Vincelot lifted the home temperature with a flying challenge on Kyel Reid. The tackles started to intensify and Proctor and Jack Stephens were involved in a bout of afters.

But as half-time approached, City’s front two had still not really troubled Reice Charles-Cook in the Coventry goal despite the constant urging of the travelling support at that end.

McMahon was not far off with a header past the post from Reid’s deep cross after another strong run from the winger.

City then had a scare right on the interval as Ruben Lameiras went to ground after a nudge from Stephen Darby.

It looked a strong shout for a penalty with the skipper clearly pushing the Portuguese but referee Rob Lewis was right on the spot and emphatically waved away the home protests.

The official was predictably booed off when he blew for the break. The Coventry fans had reason to feel aggrieved although it had been City’s half to that point.

City should have done better with a promising break soon after the restart. McMahon led the charge with men in support but the lay-off was as bit behind Proctor on the edge of the box and Cullen fired first time high over the bar.

Then Proctor appeared to get in front of Charles-Cook from McMahon’s corner but could not get a head on it. The frustration was building.

Proctor flicked over the near post from another corner before Coventry made a double change – to devastating effect.

Rose, who had replaced the ineffective Cole, had been on the pitch just 20 seconds when the ball sat up for him to let loose a cracking volley that flew past Williams and crashed in off the bar.

It was a stunning strike – reminiscent of Tony Yeboah in his pomp – and left City stunned as they were forced to chase the game.

Yet the response should have been instant.

McMahon’s cross into the box was controlled by Proctor who laid it back invitingly into the path of Clarke. The Irishman went to pick his spot with a precise side-foot – only to knock it the wrong side of the post from 12 yards out.

His reaction of sheer disbelief said it all – it was a juicy chance gone begging.

City threatened again as Evans looped a header goalwards from Nathan Clarke’s long throw-in but Charles-Cook thwarted the Welshman with an excellent finger-tip save.

Parkinson threw on Davies and Filipe Morais for the final 20 minutes – but the striker did not last the distance.

City’s night quickly got worse when Davies was given his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident, the official indicating he had kicked out at Stephens.

James Hanson joined the ten men for Nathan Clarke as Parkinson went gung-ho in the closing moments.

Reid was tripped a yard outside the box but Charles-Cook made another good block to keep out the free-kick from Evans. There was nothing doing for the Bantams.

REFEREE: Rob Lewis (Shrewsbury)

BOOKINGS: Rose, Fleck, Vincelot, Armstrongn (Coventry); N Clarke (City)

SENT OFF: Davies (City)

ATTENDANCE: 10,421

Shots on target: Coventry 3, City 5

Shots off target: Coventry 2, City 10

Corners: Coventry 4, City 6

Fouls committed: Coventry 7, City 4