Championship: Coventry frustrated by 10-man Oxford as Ipswich and Millwall improve play-off hopes

  /  autty

Coventry City missed the chance to pull clear at the top of the Championship after playing out a frustrating 0-0 draw with struggling Oxford United on Saturday. 

With second-placed Middlesbrough not in action until Monday, Frank Lampard's side were unable to take advantage despite Will Lankshear's 77nd-minute sending off. 

Haji Wright tested Jamie Cumming early on before the visiting goalkeeper produced a brilliant save to deny Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's fizzing drive from just outside the penalty area. 

Coventry had nine shots in the first half but were unable to find a way through, and they continued to be frustrated by the U's, who are in the thick of the relegation scrap.

Romain Esse then drilled an effort on target before substitute Lankshear picked up two yellow cards in 16 minutes, the latter for a poor challenge on Sakamoto in midfield. 

But despite having a man advantage, they were unable to find a winner, with their winless league run extending to three matches and seeing their title tilt come under pressure.

Elsewhere in the second tier, Ipswich Town improved their chances of automatic promotion after Leif Davis' late header clinched a 2-1 win over play-off chasing Derby County. 

The Tractor Boys had taken the lead when Lewis Travis inadvertently turned Anis Mehmeti's corner into his own net in the eighth minute at Pride Park. 

Rhian Brewster restored parity from the penalty spot just after the hour following Azor Matusiwa's foul on Bobby Clark inside the box, but there was to be a late twist in the game. 

A cross to the back post by Kasey McAteer was nodded beyond Josh Vickers by Davis, as Travis' miserable outing was compounded with a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Ipswich's victory saw them leapfrog Hull City in the table after Sergej Jakirovic's team were beaten 3-2 by Bristol City, with Scott Twine starring for the Robins at MKM Stadium. 

Oliver McBurnie had put Hull ahead, only for two goals in five minutes from Rob Atkinson and Ross McCrorie to turn the game on its head just before the half-time interval. 

And after teeing up McCrorie's strike, Twine picked up his second assist of the game five minutes after the restart, slipping in Emil Riis who struck the ball past Ivor Pandur. 

Kieran Dowell netted a late consolation for the Tigers, but it proved to be too little to late as the Robins held on and bounced back from their 5-0 drubbing by Derby last week. 

And in a battle between two other top-six chasers, Millwall got the better of Wrexham at SToK Cae Ras as Alex Neil's side ran out 2-0 victors in Wales. 

Max Cleworth turned into his own net in the 59th minute before Josh Coburn came off the bench to thump the Lions to victory and six points clear of their opponents. 

At the opposite end of the table, Norwich City's revival under Philippe Clement continued as they eased their relegation fears with a comfortable 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. 

The basement battle at Carrow Road appeared set to end goalless until the 73rd minute when Anis Ben Slimane tucked home after Oscar Schwartau's initial effort hit the post. 

And the win was sealed five minutes later by substitute Mohamed Toure, who, on his Norwich debut, finished from close range after more good work from Schwartau on the left. 

Data Debrief: Coventry fire a rare blank

Despite being the only side with three players to score 10+ goals in the Championship this season, Coventry were lacking their usual clinical edge in the final third, despite having racked up a plethora of chances to get the job done. 

Indeed, Frank Lampard's side registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.09 from their 24 shots, though only five were on target, compared to Oxford's measly 0.12 from their four attempts at Carl Rushworth's net. 

It was only the fifth time that the Sky Blues had failed to score in the Championship this season, and their first since a 2-0 defeat to Ipswich on December 29. 

Related: Ipswich Town Millwall Coventry City
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