Glovers show steely desire to defend Madden goal and see off Sky Blues

Gutsy defending and Paddy Madden's 16th goal of the season earned Yeovil Town their sixth npower League One win on the spin at Coventry City.

The Sky Blues bombarded the Glovers' goal at the Ricoh Arena only for the in-form Irish striker's first half strike on the counter-attack to settle matters.

Time after time, a combination of Yeovil's back four and goalkeeper Marek Stech kept the hosts at bay, as victory took Gary Johnson's men to within five points of top spot but with goal difference keeping them out of the play-offs places.

Joe Edwards made his first Yeovil start since his permanent switch last month, replacing injured Middlesbrough loanee Matt Dolan in the visitors' only change.

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The Sky Blues were quickest out of the blocks, needing just seconds to call Stech into action. As his defence dozed, the goalkeeper raced off his line to challenge the advancing Franck Moussa.

On eight minutes Stech did well to parry Steven Jennings' skimming effort through a crowded area, with Carl Baker deemed offside when tapping in the rebound.

Byron Webster's slip on 23 minutes allowed an incisive through ball reach James Bailey and, after the midfielder appeared to have lost the chance by twisting and turning, he dug out a shot gathered by Stech.

The Glovers immediately went down the other end, Madden and Sam Foley linking well only for the latter to drill straight at the alert Joe Murphy. Coventry failed to clear the subsequent corner and Edwards' drive was beaten upwards by Murphy.

On 27 minutes, Madden's wicked cross picked out the unmarked James Hayter, who wastefully missed the target with his header.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Gary McSheffrey's whipped free-kick evaded everyone and was inches from Cyrus Christie's slide.

As the period prepared for added time, Stech's heroics denied Leon Clarke with the striker clean through. Yeovil's break was devastating, Foley releasing Madden who beat the offside trap, skipped into the box and confidently fired beyond Murphy.

Coventry returned strongly, almost making the most of Yeovil being unable to clear. Luke Ayling's poor touch left the visitors in trouble and eventually Bailey rifled just over.

On 52 minutes Leon Clarke beat Byron Webster for pace, raced to the byline and crossed only for Dan Burn to head over his own crossbar.

Two minutes later the Coventry striker again pulled Yeovil's defence out of shape, allowing substitute Stephen Elliott the freedom of the area, but he could only curl a shot against the goal frame.

Impressive industry from Kevin Dawson in the corner flag saw him pull possession back to Madden. The forward's drive was saved, with the rebound agonisingly over the head of the on-rushing Foley, and Elliott responded immediately for the hosts, creating an opportunity that Stech plucked from the air.

On 75 minutes Leon Clarke out-muscled Webster to square for Carl to wastefully lash over the crossbar. Murphy then had to make an acrobatic save at the other end to keep out Hayter as the referee spotted an infringement.

With ten minutes remaining, the impressive Elliott rode a weak Webster tackle, initially taking the ball away from goal before turning and dragging his effort narrowly wide of the far stick.

Baker tested Stech with a swirling shot on 82 minutes, the goalkeeper back tracking to tip over. But, despite four added minutes and the barrage continuing, Coventry were unable to find a leveller.