AG's Football Reports

Neither Coventry or Middlesbrough could find a breakthrough in the second Championship Play-Off Semi-Final.

Both sides will head to the Riverside on Wednesday night firmly in the contest after 0-0 draw at CBS Arena on Sunday afternoon.

This was fourth vs fifth in the final Championship standings and it was the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides.

In the 13th minute they came very close to going in front. The Championship’s top scorer Chuba Akpom was denied by a combination of Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson and the crossbar. The ball into him from Riley McGree was perfect but Wilson was quickly off his line to prevent Akpom from finding the net.

The home side struggled in the opening 20 minutes, really finding it hard to break down their visitors who were isolating both their key forwards.

Mark Robins’ side did manage to force their way into the contest, forcing a couple of corners. Liam Kelly headed wide from a far post delivery.

Wilson was again called into action in the 32nd minute. Isiah Jones was set free, he managed to break into the box, looking for a teammate to cut the ball back to but there was no one free, instead he went himself and forced the safe from Wilson.

Jones had the ball in the net four minutes before the break but the offside flag was raised as the Boro fans behind the goal begun to celebrate.

It was just as tight in the second half, both sides were engaging in attacking activity but neither managing to land a killer blow. Gustavo Hamer fired a shot wide in the 54th minute when he could have perhaps let in Matt Godden.

Akpom was given a yellow card after a clash with McFazdean which seemed a little harsh on the Boro striker.

Whilst, the home side were the ones looking to try and get the winner it was a tight contest and neither team managed to find a winner during the four added minutes.

The tie will go to the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday all square and looking like a real thriller to watch next week.

Image: Coventry FC