Coventry Sphinx were denied a win at Pilkington by a late goal.

Danny McSheffrey's side started the brighter at the Triplex Sports Ground, with Jerome Murdock, Kelvin Phillips testing the keeper early on.

In the 26th minute of an even encounter, Sphinx were awarded a penalty when Jerome Murdock was taken down inside the area. Tom Maguire took the spot kick but could only blast over.

Murdock found more space two minutes later to get in a shot that was deflected. Aaron Donaldson was first to the resulting corner with a header, which the keeper just managed to grab on the goal-line.

Then against the run of play, the Midland Combination side went ahead thanks to Andrew Johnson being allowed to dance his way into the penalty area before beating Green with a low drive that ended up in the bottom corner of the net.

Murdock, who latched onto a Hayward through ball, was denied by a 38th minute great save from the home keeper as Sphinx kept pressing.

On the stroke of half-time, they were level thanks to a screamer of a shot from Kelvin Phillips who got to a knock on from Maguire after being picked out by Luke Hopkins' threaded pass and lashed the ball high into the net with aplomb from the edge of the area.

The former Friar Lane & Epworth striker put Sphinx in front in the 51st minute when he gave the keeper no chance from the penalty spot after Jerome Murdock had been tripped.

On the hour mark, the Sphinx defence failed to clear inside their own penalty area and the ball fell for Nathan McLoughlin to beat score from ten yards.

The Sphinx support thought they were back in front seven minutes later, when Aaron Donaldson scored from twelve yards from a move started by man of the match Luke Hopkins. However, a flag from the assistant referee on the Main Stand side ruled out the goal.

The goal did come eight minutes from time when substitute Paul Green raced on to a Donaldson slide rule pass and in one move, duly smashed the ball forcefully into the net.

However, three minutes later, Sphinx were undone by some more poor defending which failed to prevent a far post header falling to Lawrence Martin on the other side of the goal to tap into the net and tie the match.

Coventry Sphinx's final pre-season friendly is against Aston Villa at Sphinx Drive on Monday night. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

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Sphinx: Allen (Bryce 46), Hopkins, Holmes, A.Woodhall (Kimberlin 56), McAteer,Hayward (Simmon 75),Maguire (Muldoon 65), Rhodes,Phillips (Green 78),Murdock (B.Woodhall 58)