King sinks Saints at Sphinx as Vase tie finally gets played

With an uncertain weather forecast and three postponements already behind them, Saints decided to switch their tie with Long Eaton to the home of Coventry Sphinx, where Knibbs enjoyed success as assistant manager.

But a goal from Elliott King moments before half-time settled the match in the visitors’ favour and left Knibbs reflecting on only his second defeat since taking over as manager at the beginning of September.

“It was really a missed opportunity for us,” said Knibbs.

“We always looked comfortable and never out of our depth against a side from a higher level.

“In a game of slim margins, we weren’t ruthless enough in their box and made one sloppy mistake in ours, which made the difference,”

In a lively start, Simeon Smith got the ball into the United net, only for his effort to be ruled offside. Smith was then denied by a great save from keeper Scott Miles, who pushed his goalbound header around the post.

A 13th-minute long-range shot from the visitors went well over the Southam bar before Smith beat the offside trap, only to see his lob over Miles go wide.

With goalmouth incidents at a premium, the nearest Saints came to scoring again was a Jamie Coleman free-kick two minutes before the interval that was kept out by the United defensive wall.

But, with the clock ticking down, United got the breakthrough as Saints failed to deal with a long ball into the penalty area and King pounced to put them ahead.

Smith again went close early in the second half with a header that was blocked after Brad Rees had made a good run out of defence and then, in the 64th minute, he nodded on a long kick from Ollie Manuel to set up George Curry, whose lob beat Miles, but cleared the bar.

With Saints unable to make their efforts count and United looking dangerous on the break, they almost conceded a second in the 75th minute, just scrambling the ball clear.

Jim Graham replaced Josh Cole, who was feeling the effects of an injury, as Saints increased their firepower and Robbie Stephans went close.

With four minutes remaining, Kelvin Mushambi rapped the Saints crossbar and Graham had a shot blocked as Knibbs’ side strove in vain to take the match into extra time.

On Saturday, Saints returned to action after a three-week break and, despite trailing at half-time, ran out 3-1 winners over Littleton in the third round of the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup.

On top for the opening 25 minutes, they fell behind when Littleton were awarded a penalty in their first real attack. Former Saint Ollie Manoochehri struck the bar with his spot-kick, but the home side reacted quickest and Scott Walsh put in the rebound.

Saints were level in the 50th minute when Casey Gaggini crashed a free-kick on to the bar and Simeon Smith was on hand to score.

The industrious Gaggini got his reward in the 72nd minute, finishing off a move involving Brad Rees and Smith to shoot into the far corner.

Gaggini was replaced by Pawel Tomczak with seven minutes to go and the Saints substitute made it 3-1 after Smith had cut in from the right and squared the ball to set up the chance.

Tomorrow, Saints are at home to Brinklow in the Coventry Charity Cup (1.45pm).