A goal just 5 minutes from time from Coventry United substitute Charlie Faulkner condemned Long Eaton United to their first home defeat of the campaign in a game in which for the vast majority of the first half, and spells in the second, we were the better side.

Long Eaton made just 1 change to the starting line-up which lost to Boldmere St Michaels on Saturday. Curtis Durose came in for his first start since joining the club over the summer, replacing Connor Pace, who dropped to the bench. Brad Munn, back after serving a touchline ban, named himself amongst the substitutes.

Coventry United got the game underway at Grange Park, on another fine evening, despite a few scattered showers across the afternoon.

As is often the case with games at this level, the first few minutes were mainly played in the middle third of the pitch, as both teams looked to get an early stranglehold of affairs.

The Blues had an early issue when Jahvan Davidson-Miller went down injured inside 5 minutes, though he was able to continue without any treatment.

Shortly afterwards, Coventry goalkeeper Daniel Moore was called into action for the first time. George Atwal and James Taylor combined down our right hand side, and the latter's fiercely hit cross was punched away by the 'keeper.

On 12 minutes, Davidson-Miller and Taylor combined to cause the Coventry defence problems, and after half-clearing, Jayden Cotterill, in an unusually advanced position drilled a shot goalwards, which was deflected wide for a Blues corner. From this corner Gianluca Bucci had a sight at goal, but his flick-header drifted just passed the far post from only a few yards out.

Long Eaton began to take control of the game, but Coventry United were still well in the contest, and would try to hit The Blues on the break. On 17 minutes, Cody Mullan had an effort fire just wide of Lewis King's right hand post, on one such breakaway.

Long Eaton then had their best spell of the game - On 23 minutes, following a raking Eden cross, Evan Garnett had the ball at his grasp inside the area, but was quickly closed down, only for the ball to land with Davidson-Miller, who's shot was blocked.

Just a couple of minutes later, with The Blues well in the ascendancy, a flowing move saw Taylor cross into the penalty area, but was just out of reach of both Garnett and Davidson-Miller, with the goal at their mercy.

Long Eaton kept flowing forward, and Durose was put through on goal, albeit from a tight angle, he did manage to take it round the 'keeper, but lost his footing and the ball went out for a goal-kick.

Last years leading scorer, Garnett then had a couple of opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet, but was met with more resolute defending both times.

On 33 minutes, a quickly taken Atwal throw-in found Garnett inside the penalty area, the striker was able to turn and fire a low cross across the face of the goal, and evading everyone.

The visitors seemingly managed to just about contain The Blues, and on 38 minutes, a quick breakaway saw Kyle Carey through on goal. The on-rushing Lewis King seemed to realise he wasn't going to get to the ball first, and at the last moment pulled out of the challenge, and thankfully for The Blues, the ball drifted harmlessly out of play.

The final 5 minutes of the half saw Long Eaton ramp up the pressure once more, Taylor had a chance from close range, whilst Callum Cocks, looking assured in midfield, tried a log-range effort which went just past the nearside post.

A minute before the interval, Long Eaton created their best chance of the half, Atwal and Taylor once again combining, Taylor laying off a back-heel into Atwal's stride, but his effort just curled away from the far angle of the goal.

Coventry had a couple of attacks of their own, before the referee called time on the first half. Long Eaton had much the better of play and chances, but hadn't been able to quite create that golden moment some of their play had deserved.

Coventry made a tactical change at half-time and this would change the momentum of the game. Cameron Dunn swapped flanks, and his darting runs would give The Blues problems throughout the next 45 minutes down our right hand channel.

On 52 minutes, Dunn cut inside and rifled a shot across King's goal, with The Blues no 1 scampering across to beat the ball away.

Coventry then pushed The Blues back and forced a spell of pressure themselves. Atwal was forced into action in his own penalty area to deny the visitors an opportunity at goal, whilst King had to make a good save from Cobourne on 58 minutes.

Coventry were the denied an opening goal, with the referee chalking off the close-ranged effort for handball, then Bucci had to clear desperately off his own line to keep the scores level.

The visitors then missed a guilt-edged opportunity from close range, before The Blue made a change, with Davidson-Miller replaced by Connor Pace.

This change brought The Blues back into the game. On 77 minutes, Pace himself sent a low cross across the 6 yard box, only for the defender to scramble it clear. Unable to clear their lines, Cocks played a delightful ball through to Garnett who prodded the ball past the keeper, only to be denied by the assistants flag for offside.

Coventry made a change, with substitute Faulkner joining the action with 10 minutes to go.

George Atwal then fizzed a long range effort, on target, but the keeper saved comfortably, whilst Callum Cocks had a similar effort routinely saved, as Long Eaton looked to push for a winner.

The Blues were dealt a sucker punch on 85 minutes, when Lewis King's attempted clearance fell to substitute Faulkner, who despite pressure from Jayden Cotterill, was able to bundle it into an empty net.

Long Eaton attempts to get an equaliser were rebuffed, with the Coventry defence able to deal with The Blues attempts, which included King racing into the box to join the action for 2 late corner kicks.

A cruel defeat for Long Eaton United, who are left searching for a first league win of the season, but with such a largely positive display, there is certainly still much to be optimistic about, after all, we are still in August...

BLUES 0 COVENTRY UNITED 1

LINE-UP; King - Atwal, Eden, Cotterill, Bucci - Cocks, Durose, Howes, Davidson-Miller (Pace 73), Taylor - Garnett.
Subs not used; Williamson, Cole, Munn
Bookings; None
Attendance; 177