Town manager Joe Royle was furious with referee Frazer Stretton for not red carding Coventry's Micky Doyle for an 11th minute elbow on Fabian Wilnis. Doyle went on to score the Sky Blues' equaliser on the half hour.

Royle was adamant the Scot used his elbow: "It was the most blatant elbow you could ever wish to see.

"The lad who scored their goal should never have been on the pitch and I think everyone in the ground knew that.

"The linesman and the fourth official were only a few yards away and yet neither did anything.

"They might as well not be there if they're not going to make a stand. There were a few strange decisions but Coventry probably deserved the points."

The Town boss admits his side are not at their best at present and in the end happy to get the draw: "We're still struggling to find our rhythm but I was glad to get a point when we weren't playing at our best because I know we can do better."

Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister saw the elbow incident differently: "I was on the pitch when it happened so I was closer to the incident than Joe.

"Wilnis was holding my player and he was only trying to free himself.

"It was a natural reaction and even if there was a flailing arm there was certainly no malice intended.

"We dominated for long periods and had enough of the ball to possibly come away with three points.

"But it's never easy coming to Portman Road and Joe Royle's side are always very committed."

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