The Championship play-off semi-final between Coventry and Middlesbrough remains in the balance after an entertaining goalless draw in the first leg.
Following on from the 1-1 draw between the teams on Monday’s final day of the regular season, where Boro hit back to secure a point, Michael Carrick’s side were utterly dominant in the first half at the Coventry Building Society Arena and hit the crossbar through Chuba Akpom inside 15 minutes.
The tables turned after the break as Coventry grew into the game, attempting six shots to Middlesbrough’s two, but there was no way through for either side, meaning there is everything to play for in the second leg, which takes place on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports Football.
Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree (right) and Coventry City’s Liam Kelly battle for the ball
How Coventry and Middlesbrough drew for the second time in a week
Given the fact they had only won two of their final eight games in the regular season, Middlesbrough looked reluctant to commit themselves early on, leading to a cagey start in front of a bumper crowd at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
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Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson produces a stunning save to deny Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom the opening goal
Suddenly, though, they moved through the gears at pace. Riley McGree threaded the ball through to Akpom, with the division’s Golden Boot winner only denied by a big hand from Sky Blues goalkeeper Ben Wilson, which sent the ball looping up on to the crossbar and away.
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Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson comes to their rescue with a save to deny Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones
That chance gave Boro confidence and allowed them to establish a grip on proceedings. It looked as if Coventry’s best chances would come from set-pieces, although given their division-low tally of seven goals scored in that manner all season, there was little hope – and that was proven as four first-half corners produced nothing of note.
Four minutes before the break, Boro had the ball in the net when Akpom’s delicate pass forward was smartly finished off by Isaiah Jones, but the linesman’s flag came to the hosts’ rescue.
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Akpom goes close for Middlesbrough as they look for a breakthrough
Akpom had another chance to give Boro the lead less than two minutes into the second half, when he glanced just wide after being picked out by McGree’s neat cross, but Coventry made it clear they were no longer prepared to be on the back foot.
They looked much more threatening after that, but the Boro backline were always well-placed to prevent Zack Steffen having anything to deal with, meaning the game ended without a goal.
What’s next?
Wednesday 17th May 7:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
The second leg will be played at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium home at 8pm on Wednesday May 17, live on Sky Sports Football.
There, the teams will battle it out for a place in the Sky Bet League Championship play-off final, which will take place at Wembley Stadium at 4.45pm on Saturday May 27.