BLUES 0-1 Coventry

BLUES old boy Clinton Morrison came back to haunt his old club last night as his 53rd minute header dealt a set back to Blues' promotion campaign at St Andrews.

Morrison's header was turned in after Blues failed to deal with the corner which left McLeish's men defeated for the second time in less than a week.

Blues started the brightest of the sides as it only took 30 seconds for Cameron Jerome to unleash a snapshot which fell straight into the arms of keeper, Kieran Westwood. Despite the early possession Coventry did work their way back into the game with a header from Leon Best which Maik Taylor was equal to and a shot blasted off Taylor's bar from only eight yards out by ex-employee Morrison.

After the break there were no signs of the pace of the game letting up as it was Cameron Jerome who went through again only 3 minutes after the restart, however to see his strike from 10 yards blaze over.

Although Blues were attacking very dangerously in search of the opener Coventry continued to have a very good go at the home side and got their rewards as Morrison broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Coventry won a right hand corner against the Tilton Road End. Midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin flicked the corner on which was met by Morrison who found a yard of space and made no mistake inside the six yard box heading the ball into the top corner.

Blues almost immediately made amends when Liam Ridgwell saw his header clawed off the line by Westwood which fell to Kevin Phillips who also lacked accuracy as his effort smashed against the post. Westwood continued to impress in the Coventry goal as he kept James McFadden and Phillips out with 20 minutes remaining.

As the game entered its closing stages Blues looked to have rescued a point as Franck Queudrue seemed to have scrambled the ball over the line but the assistant referee didn't think so and play continued. Blues had one more final chance deep into injury time but Seb Larsson couldn't keep his composure as he blasted over from close range.

Blues must bounce back now as they travel to Nottingham Forest currently sitting 23rd in the Championship on Saturday afternoon in what will certainly prove to be another tense midlands derby.