Steve Ogrizovic struck a blow for the over-forties last night when he made a successful comeback to competitive football at the age of 42.

‘Oggy’ chose to re-launch his career in Coventry City’s reserve side against Chelsea after six months out of action following a prolapsed disc, during which many sceptics questioned whether he would make it back.

But the goalkeeper confounded the critics with an assured display crowned by a brilliant second half save.

He had no chance with either goal as Chelsea won 2-1. The London side’s first was a disputed penalty and the second a close range effort.

But ‘Oggy’ was an invaluable member of a very young team, encouraging his team mates and directing activities from the edge of his penalty area.

He had only one moment of anxiety when he left his area to clear a loose ball and then dithered and lost possession, but he made up for that with a brilliant point blank range save from Chelsea’s exciting young talent Mikael Forssell.

After the match the big goalkeeper said:

"I just love playing football, although I must admit I did give some thought to retiring. But then I thought again. You are a long time retired and I feel very fit and able to play on.

"From day one after the operation there has been no reaction from my neck. I worked on a one-to-one basis with our fitness coach Darren Grewcock, who has been marvellous, and then when I joined in general training I was diving around with absolutely no repercussions from my injury."

Chelsea took the lead with a 26^th minute penalty by Forssell and eleven minutes later Sam Parkin bundled the ball home from close range. Paul Hall fired in after 53 minutes, when Chelsea’s goalkeeper Rhys Evans let the ball slip under his body.