Coventry City 2-0 Middlesbrough: Frank Lampard's team seal play-off place with win

Coventry sealed their place in the Championship play-offs thanks to a hard-earned 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough.

Jack Rudoni scored both goals for the hosts as Frank Lampard's side booked a play-off double-header against Sunderland.

Boro, meanwhile, have ultimately paid the price for a hugely inconsistent second half of the season as they blew their chance of sneaking back into the top six.

The home fans were almost rejoicing after just four minutes, only for Ellis Simms to lash an effort inches wide from just eight yards out.

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The tone was being set in such a vital fixture for both teams, with City in control early on as Ben Sheaf then went close as he fizzed a shot off target from inside the Boro box.

Michael Carrick's men had looked the more nervous of the sides in the early stages, though they finally gained a foothold and Morgan Whittaker tested City keeper Ben Wilson.

The hosts ran out of steam somewhat, while Boro created the next opening just before the half-hour mark.

Tommy Conway charged menacingly towards the heart of the Coventry defence, only to see his powerful shot blocked.

The visitors were now on top, and Finn Azaz's strike was palmed onto the post by Wilson.

However, it was City who made the breakthrough in the 44th minute.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto floated over a cross for Rudoni, who superbly glanced a header into the corner, past the despairing dive of keeper Mark Travers.

Boro created the first chance of the second half. Conway found Samuel Iling-Junior smartly, but his low snapshot was well saved by Wilson.

The Coventry stopper was at his brilliant best minutes later. This time Whittaker flicked the ball into the path of Azaz, but Wilson saved superbly from close range.

Rudoni went close when denied by a super Travers save with 20 minutes left.

The woodwork then saved Boro when City substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante thumped a strike against the post.

The same happened at the other end soon after when Whittaker also cracked a shot against the post.

The Sky Blues finally sealed Boro's fate with two minutes left, however, when Rudoni coolly converted a measured cross from Thomas-Asante.

Championship play-off schedule

First legs

• Thur 8: Bristol City vs Sheff Utd, 8pm
• Fri 9: Coventry vs Sunderland, 8pm

Second legs

• Mon 12: Sheff Utd vs Bristol City, 8pm
• Tues 13: Sunderland vs Coventry, 8pm

Final: Sat May 24 (KO tbc)

The managers

Coventry's Frank Lampard:

"I loved it today, but it was so tense at times. Our performance was brilliant in the first half, though Middlesbrough had their chances.

"We stayed focused though, and I really felt the power of us in the second half. We were brilliant on the counter-attack and showed great desire to defend our box.

"We knew what we had to do, we knew what the challenge was and the players showed me that they were ready for that challenge.

"The players deserve so much credit, given where we've come from, but we've got what we deserve, for sure.

"I'm excited for the play-offs now, it's been a long week before this game and now we can look forward to another huge challenge.

"We'll be respectful of Sunderland, it's going to be really tough in both games against them, but we know we've got massive quality in our squad and we can't wait for Friday."

Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick:

"It's an awful feeling - there's no getting away from it. The disappointment among the group is huge. I think you could see that after the game.

"We're all so deflated and hurt, and we all care so much about this football club. I couldn't have asked any more from the players - I thought they played really well.

"Conceding the first goal just before half-time gave Coventry something to hold on to, though we came out in the second half and played well in so many ways.

"We had opportunities, hit the woodwork and their keeper was making saves, but then we've been caught on a breakaway at the end.

"This one game wasn't the story of the season though, looking back on it as a whole, we've just come up a little bit short.

"We wanted a little bit more of course, but without doubt the lads will learn a lot from this experience."

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