Cox on bench as Albion draw a blank

Simon Cox, Albion's £1.9 million striker, remained on the bench as Roberto Di Matteo's team made heavy work of a dull, goalless encounter at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

Di Matteo preferred to use Luke Young up front on his own in a 4-4-1-1 formation and once again the dominant possession yielded no goals.

Coventry started this game in 17th place, and for the first 20 minutes or so they were penned into their own half by the league leaders with Moore and Thomas looking dangerous in around the box.

Clinton Morrison and ex-Wolves winger Michael McIndoe led the most creative of the Sky Blues counter attacks although the absence of dangerman Leon Best was evident.

Albion responded with their best spell with Thomas linking well with Jara and his shot earning a corner. From the set piece Olsson directed his free header wide.

The half ended in uproar with Thomas appearing to be tripped inside the box by defender Martin Cranie. Referee Keith Stroud booked the Albion player for diving and the team took their frustrations into the dressing room.

First Half 0-0

The second half continued in the same fashion - scrappy play and predictable tactics from both sides.

Chances from Olsson and Jara for Albion countered a long range effort by Osbourne for Coventry but the game was petering out and the inevitable no score draw became more and more likely.

Substitute Chris Wood had the chance of the match in the 86th minute and should have wrapped up the three points after Dorrans played him clean through. His snatched shot went straight into the arms of the Coventry keeper Konstantopoulos.

So, with injuries stacking up and only one point from the last two games, Albion have been knocked off the top of the table and their promotion campaign is looking about as unhealthy as virus-stricken Di Matteo is feeling.

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