Coventry 2-0 West Brom: Feeble Albion desperate in defeat on big day

The visitors conceded early in either half at a sold-out CBS Arena in a crunch Championship clash billed as must-win to put play-offs hopes back in the hands of Tony Mowbray's side.

Instead, the Baggies were jeered off by much of those remaining in the 3,000-strong away end. Albion turned in one of their meekest displays of a season laced with consistency with the hosts in charge throughout.

Jack Rudoni scored after six minutes and Albion's only saving grace at half-time was just a 1-0 scoreline.

Five minutes into the break and Mowbray's side were in tatters against one of the head coach's former employers.

One of Mowbray's half-time subs John Swift lost the ball in his own box and Matt Grimes converted for two. Moments later Albion left-back Callum Styles was dismissed for a cheap second yellow card.

The remainder of the second period was a procession for the Sky Blues. Results elsewhere leave Albion six points adrift of the play-offs with nine to play for. In reality hope has gone.

The club's miserable away record this season now reads one win in 19 Championship trips - 20 in all competitions. There have been no back-to-back victories since September. In Coventry Albion failed to show it on the big stage when it mattered - but in reality they have not shown nearly enough all season.

Coventry were in charge of the ball in the opening exchanges but Albion's Will Lankshear, who kept his place up front, worried Brad Collins with a looped effort from Mikey Johnston's cross. The back-peddling keeper just managed to tip over.

Mowbray's visitors were behind on six minutes, though, as Coventry made one of a number of raids down their left.

Wide forward Haji Wright worked some room on the left of the box with Albion unable to prevent and clear a cross. The delivery was low and pulled back, as midfielder Alex Mowatt had a swipe but was unable to clear, and opposite number Rudoni lashed a fine low left-footed finish in through a crowded box.

Rudoni, one of the hosts' star men, ran the show early on.

Coventry dominated the first half. Chances were at a premium but Frank Lampard's men were in control. A number of set-pieces and other crosses caused issues, but the visitors' rearguard did well enough to hold firm.

Josh Griffiths, who had no chance for the opener, palmed defender Liam Kitching's header over and held on well from a dangerous Rudoni cross.All Albion had to cling to for the second period was that the deficit remained one goal and murmurs of boos in the away end at Craig Pawson's whistle reflected as much.

Albion needed change and Mowbray turned to Swift and Grady Diangana for Lankshear and Isaac Price, who as both of the visitors' absent midfield was overran.

Much like the first, it was a disastrous start to the half.

Mowbray's men made a hash of clearing and the ball cannoned at the feet of Swift for his first touches inside his own area.

Swift's control was heavy and he was made to pay. His opposite number Grimes was quickly in control and kept his cool to tuck into the corner beyond the onrushing Griffiths.

Two-nil was a mountain but it got quickly worse for a crumbling Albion.

They were left in tatters three minutes after the goal when left-back Styles was dismissed for a second yellow card for hauling back Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.

Diangana was shoehorned into the left-back role as Albion tried to recover.

Albion were clinging on at sixes and sevens. Karlan Grant kept running, to his credit, and set up a chance haplessly lifted over by Swift from 18 yards. Otherwise the Sky Blues attacked at will. For a period Mowbray's side could not clear their lines.

Coventry looked like they could go on to score again and again. Grimes, Rudoni and Sakamoto came again and again. Torbjorn Heggem, one of few with any credit, made several blocks.

Mowbray introduced Ousmane Diakite to try to stem the flow midway through the half and strikers Adam Armstrong and Daryl Dike arrived with 15 minutes left.

Winger Johnston and Armstrong had the ball in the net but the offside flag was long raised on both occasions.

A slack, sloppy Albion cut sorry figures in their pink away kit and the players that clapped the away fans at full-time did so sheepishly.