Coventry rally to quiet revolution

Reduced to 10 men and constantly changing as injuries multiplied at Priestfield Stadium yesterday, Coventry's new-found spirit, inspired by their caretaker manager Roland Nilsson, still lifted them to a remarkable fifth win in six matches.

Nilsson is far from convinced that being offered the temporary job at Coventry was an opportunity for which he was prepared or even wanted. "But you have to face situations when they come and maybe this was the right moment for me.'' His first few weeks in charge have brought him ample encouragement to believe that a fresh face on the touchline, after years of the familiarly tortured features of Gordan Strachan, was exactly what the club needed. Or is it that the players have responded to a more sympathetic voice? Either way he has put himself in pole position to take the role permanently.

Andy Hessenthaler, the Gillingham player-manager, has never had any problem with getting the right response from his players. They know how often he leads by example on the field, but he admits that the "office job'' gets ever more complicated, particularly when it comes to keeping promising players happy. He is delighted that top scorer Marlon King has signed a four-year contract, but he is all too aware that the 21-year-old is being monitored by half-a-dozen Premiership clubs. "I just think he needs a couple more seasons in Division One. Then, if he keeps scoring goals, he should be ready to move up.''

The remark will be interpreted by Gillingham fans as an indication that the club are unlikely to reach the Premiership this season or the next, which is already self-evident. Coventry had twice exposed defensive brittleness before they took a 14th-minute lead. Laurent Delorge, bought from Ghent three years ago but only just back in the reckoning after a broken leg, had contrived a delicate chip that brushed a fraction high, then, unwittingly, again deceived defenders as he tried but missed, stopping a ball slung into the penalty area. It ran on to Jairo Martinez, who slammed a low shot past Vince Bartram.

By then King had hardly been acquainted with the ball, and the Gills defence looked unsure what to do with it. Half an hour passed before Iffy Onuora headed on to the crossbar with Coventry's unexpectedly recalled former Scottish international Andy Goram stranded. And, just as Gillingham gathered momentum, so Coventry lost Nilsson with a pulled muscle.

What could have been a troublesome moment, Coventry turned to their benefit when just before half-time the home defence failed to clear a shot from Nilsson's replacement, Keith O'Neill, and Yousef Chippo pushed in the rebound for his first goal in 18 months. The security that should have offered was ludicrously put in jeopardy.

Yousef Safri, who had already been cautioned, brought down David Perpetuini near the halfway line. Or, in other words, in a situation that offered no threat to Coventry who, until then, had shown a composure born of greater experience at a higher level. As a result of Safri's sending-off Gillingham were left with 25 minutes recovery time against 10 men and a team forced to make three defensive substitutions.

That they failed, in spite of a 90th-minute successful drive by Paul Shaw and a fine save by Goram from Guy Ipoua, was testament to Nilsson's minor revolution.

Gillingham 1

Shaw 90

Coventry City 2

Martinez 14, Chippo 45

Half-time: 0-2 Attendance: 9,435