Website reaction to FA Cup thriller

Last updated : 04 January 2003 By Michael Morris

The last 15 mins though have again put City into FA Cup folklore.

I'm still critical of Alexander. I hate the weay he stays on his line. If he had a presence he could have stopped the first goal. McAllisters floated ball in was a nice touch but if Alexander had come out and commanded his area he could have got it. Mills was allowed too much time to turn and score. Coventry's second was shite as far as the appalling Graham Poll was concerned. A handball and an offside in the build up. The foul in the box could have gone either way. As a penalty was given, Crioft was lucky to only get a yellow. Poll was card happy in booking Boland as well after what I thought was fair tackle on Holdsworth.

What is it with linesman these days. They need to shape up. Always behind play.

BUT

the last 15 mins was sheer determination. Bowen skinned Dean Gordon to whip in a cross for Earnie to head home.

Then, willed on by 14,000 Bluebird fans, Coventry did a Swindon and sat back. Again we were sloppy with the final ball but the amonut of pressure showed and Campbell scored from the same spot Earnie scoed from on Wednesday. 1 yard out.

Well done Leo who 12 months after his Leeds assist was in there again with a flick forward, Bowen got a touch and it fell to Campbell to be in the right place at the right time to smash the ball into the net.

Bowen was trying to break through the back of the net, Campbell's shirt was ripped and City fans went mental.

Coventry nearly scored a winner, we were already 3 mins into the time Poll had added on when Alexander fumbled a shot out for a corner. City survived and it's a replay on Wednesday January 15th (the only game that night, TV maybe?)

Coventry made a substitution in injury time, the one good thing Poll did was add the extra seconds their player took to amble off the pitch.

City made only one change to the squad for today's game. Maxwell on the bench for the missing Fan. Peter Thorne suffered more than most as City never really had the run of the ball. Early exchanges were like a gentlemans excuse me. You have an attack, no you have a go, ok then we'll take it in turns.

City made an early change. Prior off injured, Scott Young on. Young had more chances at goal in today's game than Prior has had all season.

Early in the second half Legg came off injured. Campbell came on and I think was the biggest threat in the second half. He looked better in better company.

City's third sub later on was Leo for Thorne.

While I tought City were not getting the rub of the green they were also shooting themselves in the foot with poor final balls.

Coventry were solid if not spectacular.

The draw was the least City deserved for their efforts. Coventry were a comfortable 1st Division team but City, when they got it together were the most likely to do something special and even though it was very very late it was a stunning climax to another enthralling cup tie.

Full time. Cardiff 2 Coventry 2.