Coventry City

Coventry City produced a stunning second half performance to come from two goals down to win 3-2 against Peterborough United at the Ricoh Arena.

Goals from Jon Taylor and Marcus Maddison put the Posh two goals up, but Ryan Haynes' first City goal, Jim O'Brien and Frank Nouble gave the Sky Blues three precious points against a side that started the day in the automatic promotion places of SkyBet League One. 

Five changes were made to the City side that started against Oldham on Tuesday. Reda Johnson and Nouble both came back into the side after recovering from injuries and Lee Burge made his first league start of the season. 

Josh McQuoid and Conor Thomas also came into the starting XI, as Ryan Allsop, Andy Webster, James Maddison, Aaron Phillips and Shaun Miller all made way. 

The game started evenly, with Johnson and Nouble receiving early touches and showing no signs of rustiness after missing the last eight games. 

The first half chance appeared after five minutes, a Posh cross found Christian Burgess who fired well over. 

Peterborough were leaving three men up at all times as they looked to play a very attacking formation, and Conor Washington almost made it through the City defence on eight minutes, but a smart interception from Ryan Haynes put a stop to his efforts. 

The Sky Blues' first opportunity fell to the returning Nouble after 12 minutes. He made a trademark penetrating run through the Posh back line and shot from just inside the area, Alnwick parrying away well. 

Despite the even start, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock with their first real chance of the game. A ball was slid across to Jon Taylor, who showed composure to roll the ball into the corner of the net. 

The goal was harsh on the Sky Blues, who had played well up until the opener. They immediately tried to find a reply, Haynes causing Posh problems down the left hand side. 

After a period of midfield stalemate, the visitors doubled their lead midway through the first half. Marcus Maddison's free kick deceived Burge, who took a step in the wrong direction and could not recover his footing in time. 

City appeared shell shocked after the double salvo from the Posh, and they almost went three goals down when Washington sliced an angled shot wide. 

The Sky Blues were finding it tough to break down the Posh's defence as they looked to attack on the counter as the visitors protected their lead. 

Five minutes from the break Jim O'Brien nearly send through Nouble, his excellent through ball was intercepted by Michael Bostwick at the crucial moment. 

The half time whistle could not come quickly enough for the Sky Blues, who needed a reaction to around a bad start. 

The second half started in the perfect fashion for the Sky Blues, when they pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart. 

O'Brien exchanged a one-two with Nouble, who then spotted Haynes' late run. The ball was perfect, and the wing back's first time shot curled into the top corner, giving Alnwick no chance. It was a memorable first Sky Blues goal for the 18-year old. 

The Ricoh Arena was rocking, and City almost equalised a couple of minutes later. An amazing through ball from Johnson found Mcquoid. He squared to Nouble, whose shot was saved well. 

City were on top, and Simeon Jackson replaced Josh McQuoid as the Sky Blues pushed for a leveller. 

On the hour they found it. Once again it was Ryan Haynes who caused the damage on the left hand side and his cutback was deflected to the far post. O'Brien stormed in at just the right time to send the Sky Blue army wild. 

Most of the crowd were still celebrating the equaliser when City went ahead for the first time in spectacular fashion. Just two minutes later Nouble went on a mazy run from the halfway line. He shrugged off all Posh challenges, and his shot from the edge of the area deflected over Alnwick. 

It was Nouble's third goal of his loan spell, and he received a booking for taking his shirt off during his celebration. 

Now it was the Sky Blues' turn to defend a lead, and there was sure to be some fingernails chewed in the stands. 

City were throwing bodies on the line to protect their slender advantage, and Peterborough switched to a more direct style as they chased the game. 

With a quarter of an hour remaining Maddison had another free kick which he placed just over the bar. 

The home fans were fully behind their team, as City played possession game to frustrate Peterborough. 

The fourth official indicated five minutes of additional time, and the Posh gave one last effort to snatch an equaliser. 

There was one last corner for Peterborough and Alnwick came up for it. But nothing came of it as the offside flag was raised. 

The referee blew for full time shortly afterwards and an explosion of noise rang out around the ground. The players and staff all went into a huddle as Play Up Sky Blues was sung around them, with three precious points gained from an incredible second half. 

Attendance: 8,957 (1,564 away) 

Teams: 

Coventry City: Burge, Willis, Johnson ©, Thomas, Fleck, McQuoid (Jackson 58'), O'Brien (Finch 90'), Barton, Nouble, Hines, Haynes 
Substitutes: Allsop (GK), Webster, Miller, Phillips, J. Maddison 

Peterborough United: Alnwick, Smith, Bostwick, Taylor (James 66'), Payne ©, Washington (Mendez-Laing 66'), Anderson, Newell, Burgess, Zakuani (Otzumer 73'), M. Maddison 
Substitutes: Grant (GK), Ferdinand, McEvoy, Santos