RUTHLESS BLUES KEEP THEIR COOL TO SEND TENANTS COV PACKING...

PROUD manager Pep Clotet hailed his never-say-die players after landlords Birmingham broke tenants Coventry’s hearts in their fourth round replay.

- John Lyons

Twice the Sky Blues were on the brink of knocking out their Championship opponents, but each time the Blues struck at the death – and then they held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out that followed.

After a goalless first half, the tie sprung into life when Amadou Bakayoko’s shot squirted home five minutes into the second half.

Max Biamou twice missed good chances to double the Sky Blues’ lead, but it still looked as though they had done enough to advance.

However, Harlee Dean headed home in the second minute of stoppage time to level things up and Birmingham almost won it only for Lukas Jutkiewicz’s header to crash against the crossbar in the final seconds of normal time.

In extra-time, League One Coventry surged ahead again when Biamou tucked home after being teed up by Callum O’Hare with six minutes left.

However, there was another sting in the tail in the final minute as Jeremie Bela’s speculative crosscum-shot from the right sailed over Marko Marosi and went in off the far post.

Rollercoaster

Buoyed by their reprieve, Birmingham triumphed 4-1 in the ensuing penalty shoot-out. Goalkeeper Lee Camp proved the hero, saving from Liam Walsh and Jamie Allen, while the Blues stuck away all their spot-kicks.

Relieved boss Clotet said: “Coventry made it very difficult for us and we struggled to create flow in attack but one thing we had was the ability to work harder to the end, believe in ourselves and take the game to a penalty shoot-out.

“We are very happy it went in our favour. It was a fantastic night.”

Coventry boss Mark Robins said: “I’m proud of the players. They’ve come out on the wrong side of a result and we had three good chances to put the game to bed in normal time that we didn’t take, which means you always run the risk.”