Coventry City 1 Charlton Athletic 1

Last updated : 29 September 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Mighty Maltese Michael Mifsud grabbed another memorable goal to round off a good week, as Coventry City picked up a home point.

Iain Dowie - sacked by Charlton last season after just 12 league games - made only one change from the side which saw of Manchester United in midweek, with David McNamee coming in at right-back in place of the injured Isaac Osbourne.

But while it might have been largely the same team it was not the same performance.

Coventry were heading for defeat until Mifsud struck with just six minutes remaining.

Neither side managed a decent attempt on goal in the opening 15 minutes until the visitors burst into life and took the lead through Lloyd Sam.

He combined well with the on-loan Danny Mills down the right flank and then fired in a low right-foot shot which seemed to go through Andy Marshall and roll into the net.

Coventry were still not firing on all cylinders and were lucky not to conceded a quick second. Chris Iwelumo tried a flamboyant volley right-foot volley when he met an Andy Reid cross four minutes later, but sliced the ball embarrassingly wide.

Charlton also had very strong claims for a penalty waved away in the 24th minute when Luke Varney appeared to be hauled down Ben Foster inside the area but the referee waved away their protests.

The former Crewe striker was looking impressive and turned Elliott Ward before firing in a shot which Marshall saved.

Mifsud had been very quiet, but then his industry earned him a chance just after the half-hour mark when he robbed Chris Powell and let fly with his right foot, sending the ball crashing against the post.

Coventry started the second half on the attack and could have troubled Nicky Weaver in the 49th minute when Stephen Hughes tried his luck with a 20-yard free-kick after Jay Tabb had been fouled.

Weaver did have to pull off a fine save six minutes later when Mifsud again capitalised on some sloppy defending.

It looked as if he would miss out until he again pounced on a loose ball and rifled in a low shot which gave Weaver no chance.