Staunton winner lifts Coventry
By Andy Clarke. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Steve Staunton's late winner gave Coventry a vital 2-1 win over Brighton which lifts them out of the Championship relegation zone.
The veteran defender scored with a long range strike just six minutes from time after Adam Virgo had looked to have given Brighton a point when he cancelled out Gary McSheffrey's penalty.
Virgo had almost given Brighton an early lead when he fired an in-direct free-kick into the side-netting after Luke Steele had picked up a Richard Duffy backpass.
McSheffrey then got free on the edge of the Albion penalty area but could only lift his shot over the advancing keeper Alan Blayney and clear of the crossbar.
Mark McCammon had a headed goal disallowed for offside as Mark McGhee's side finished the first half in the ascendancy, but they found themselves a goal down just two minutes after the restart.
Referee Mark Cowburn ruled that Guy Butters had handled from Stephen Hughes's corner, and McSheffrey made no mistake from the spot.
The lead lasted only two minutes, however, as Brighton equalised when Virgo finished well from Gary Hart's low cross.
Blayney saved well from substitute Dele Adebola to keep the Seagulls on level terms, but there was nothing he could do to prevent Staunton's winner, which crashed in off his right-hand post.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Gary McSheffrey
Steve Staunton
Adam Virgo
