A young Town reserves side defeated Coventry City 1-0 at a rainy Playford Road on Wednesday afternoon. Daniel Flack scored the winner in the first half but more importantly central defender Drissa Diallo came through seemingly unscathed.

Diallo could now be in line for a recall to the first team with John McGreal and Georges Santos both doubts ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Sunderland.

Coventry's Cameroon striker Patrick Suffo wasn't far from putting the visitors ahead in just the fourth minute, his shot beating Marshall but landing on the roof of the net. Soon after, a Stuart Boardley corner was headed over by Aidan Collins

Suffo had another chance when Scott Barron played the ball straight to him ten yards outside the Town area. Fortunately for the young full-back the former Sheffield United man shot weakly to Marshall.

Town went ahead in the 34th minute when Sam Morrow ran strongly at the Coventry defence before unleashing a 25-yard shot which keeper Scott Shearer couldn't hold on to. Flack followed up to crash home from close in.

Right-sided midfielder Flack almost netted a second five minutes before the break, hitting a powerful shot which only just went over Shearer's cross-bar.

Suffo had proved the Sky Blues' main threat but just before the break only managed to hit the wall with a freekick on the edge of the area.

Roy O'Donovan had the best of the chances in the second half but Andy Marshall in the Town goal, and on one occasion Drissa Diallo, managed to prevent him scoring an equaliser.

Just after the hour the Coventry left winger's shot almost deflected into the net, but the Town keeper was across to scramble the ball round the post.

From the resultant corner O'Donovan again struck goalwards, this time Diallo blocking on the line.

Diallo himself was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his header from Flack's corner was blocked on the line by Claus Jorgensen.

Marc Smith came off the Town bench in the 71st minute and almost immediately scored, his 20-yard strike deflecting off Mark Noon for a corner.

At the other end O'Donovan forced Marshall into another save, the Town stopper tipping his effort round the post.

Coventry were looking the most likely to score in the latter stages with trialist striker Dorryl Proffitt looking dangerous.

Suffo wasn't far away in the 84th minute with a shot which flashed past Andy Marshall's left post, the Cameroonian international having left Alfie Kamara for dead with a flash of class.

A difficult afternoon for quality football on a very wet surface but a welcome win for Town's youngsters, most of whom will be involved in next Wednesday night's FA Youth Cup match against Sunderland (Portman Road, KO 7pm).

Amongst those watching were Millwall assistant manager Ray Wilkins, who appeared to be taking a keen interest in Andy Marshall, Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood and former Town first team coach Stewart Houston.

Town: Marshall, Mitchell, Barron, Murray (Smith 71), Diallo, Collins, Flack, Kamara, Morrow, Bowditch, Boardley.

Photo: Action Images

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