Stevenage stay rooted to the bottom of League 1 following tonight’s (Wednesday’s) defeat away to Coventry City.

The Comet: Luke Freeman on the ballLuke Freeman on the ball (Image: Archant)

In a match played at Northampton Town’s Sixfields Stadium, where the Sky Blues have been playing their home matches this season, Boro hit the woodwork twice and also saved a Sky Blues penalty late on.

However, they came away from the match empty-handed as the only goal of the game came from the head of City defender Dan Seaborne.

There were three changes from Saturday’s defeat against MK Dons with goalkeeper Chris Day demoted to the bench where he was joined by Darius Charles, while Dean Parrett is out through injury.

In their places came Arnold in goal and Jordan Burrow up front, with Michael Doughty slotting into midfield alongside Jimmy Smith.

There was no place in the squad for Tom Flanagan, who has joined on loan until the end of the season from MK Dons, but there was a place on the bench for Conor Henderson, who also signed on Wednesday on loan from Hull City.

Stevenage started brightly and within four minutes they had hit the post when a quick free-kick saw Curtis Obeng cross for Francois Zoko who nodded against the post.

The striker then floated a shot just wide of the far stick before, at the other end, Callum Wilson saw his shot deflected wide by the imposing figure of Jon Ashton.

It had been a confident start by Stevenage, but as the half went on Coventry began to press and get in tackles. The hosts had their best chance when Wilson dummied a through ball and Nathan Delfouneso, on loan from Aston Villa, fired goalwards only to see his shot blocked by Ashton.

Zoko then created a wonderful chance for Boro two minutes from the break, but one they could not convert. His ball in from the right took a touch before Burrow forced a save from Joe Murphy from close range and Luke Freeman slipped as he tried to follow up.

It was a balanced start to the second half as both sides looked for an opening, and it nearly came when Wilson headed over from close range following a ball in from the right.

It was a warning for the visitors, but shortly afterwards they conceded from another header when John Fleck’s corner was flicked in by Seaborne at the near post.

Boro continued to look for a goal, but in fact, it was the home team that should have a second when Bira Dembele handled debutant Nathan Eccleston’s shot late on only for Arnold to save well from Wilson’s ensuing penalty.

Boro then spurned a glorious chance to pinch the points at the death when Freeman’s shot was pushed on to the bar by Murphy, and following up substitute Darius Charles acrobatically put the ball over the Coventry goal from close range.

It was a scintillating end to the game, but that will be of little comfort to Boro who stay bottom of League 1 on goal difference.

Coventry City: Murphy, Adams, Webster, Fleck, Delfouneso (Eccleston 78), Moussa (Thomas 86), Seaborne, Willis, Wilson, Clarke, Robinson. Subs: Burge, Christie, Baker, Marshall, Haynes.

Stevenage: Arnold, Dembele, Ashton (Morais 82), Mousinho, Freeman, Smith, Doughty, Obeng, Zoko, Burrow (Charles 75), Akins (Reid 82). Subs: Day, Wedgbury, Hartley, Henderson.

Ref: T Robinson

Att: 1,697