Coventry and Blackpool share the Championship spoils

Coventry were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Blackpool at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The Tangerines opened the scoring in the 24th minute through former Sky Blues  striker Gary Madine, before Viktor Gyokeres netted his third goal in four games three minutes before the break.

Mark Robins’ side showed two changes from their valiant 2-1 extra-time defeat at Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round as Jordan Shipley and Todd Kane replaced Jake Bidwell and the injured Josh Eccles.

Despite a 3-1 victory over Bristol City at the weekend, Neil Critchley rang the changes to his Tangerines, which included three former Sky Blues in Dujon Sterling, Richard Keogh and Madine.

Marvin Ekpiteta, Reece James, Ethan Robson and Owen Dale replaced Jordan Thorniley, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, Callum Connolly and CJ Hamilton for the Seasiders, who came into the game on a run of four unbeaten in the Sky Bet Championship.

Coventry looked a threat from the off when Gyökeres diverted Callum O’Hare’s shot wide in the opening 70 seconds and Gustavo Hamer’s dipping volley narrowly evaded the crossbar.

Dale had an effort of his own whistle past the post in the opening exchanges before some neat interplay between Hamer and Shipley resulted in Ian Maatsen firing wide.

The lively Josh Bowler tested Simon Moore for the first time when he weaved his way through the Coventry backline but poked his effort straight at Sky Blues’ stopper, whose brother Stuart occupied the Blackpool bench.

Bowler was heavily involved in the Tangerines’ opener as he sprayed the ball out to Dale before the former Crewe man wriggled his way to the byline and found Madine at the far post to slot home his second in as many matches.

Coventry remained undeterred as Maatsen