Ollie content to win ugly

The Championship's bottom side repelled the Seasiders' first-half threat and appeared on course for their first away win of the season when Conor Thomas prodded home his maiden career goal shortly before the hour.

An icy playing surface was making it difficult for Blackpool to implement their familiar passing style, so Holloway turned towards the plethora of attacking options on his bench.

Debut

On-loan West Brom forward Roman Bednar came on for his debut and he teed up former Baggies striker partner Phillips to level matters three minutes from time, before Taylor Fletcher found the decisive touch inside a crowded penalty area deep into stoppage time

"We proved we could win ugly with the character we're showing, the belief we're showing and the will to win we're showing," said Holloway.

"I nearly broke my neck coming across the pitch to speak to you then. It's not the nicest surface, it's a bit frosty and we tried to play our nice football but we couldn't.

"Normally we're a nice footballing team but (Ian) Evatt went up front, so did Bednar and we stuck it on their head, we flicked it on.

"And it just shows, the past-master Kevin Phillips - how good is he at reading those situations?

"So I'm delighted, I'm relieved and that's an important win for us."

Holloway reserved special praise for Phillips after the 38-year-old also came off the bench at the weekend to rescue a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday.

He added: "I've never seen anyone so alive as a sub - so into the game immediately as a sub and so brilliant at reading things. We're lucky to have him."

Coventry boss Andy Thorn was left disappointed by the manner of the a defeat that leaves the Sky Blues seven points from safety despite winning three of their last six games, but refused to criticise his players' efforts.

"We worked off our shape well, we got our heads in front and to lose in that manner is disappointing when we've come so far," he said.

Professional

"Even at the end we've run the clock down and we've been professional with the way we were finishing the game, but you can't defend like that.

"It's a knock because we've been doing so well. The manner in which we lost the game is very disappointing

"They all did well, all of them - I can't fault them. I'm just disappointed."