Roland Nilsson’s winning run as Coventry boss came to an end but the Sky Blues managed to secure a point against Barnsley at Oakwell.

Jairo Martinez came off the bench to give City the lead early in the second half and it looked like being enough to give Nilsson his fourth straight league win, but Bruce Dyer struck 11 minutes from time to keep up the Tykes unbeaten record at home this season.

Barnsley keeper Andy Marriott was lucky to escape a red card only seven minutes into the match when he appeared to handle outside the area as Youssef Chippo advanced on to a pass from David Thompson. The referee, however, turned down City’s claims for a free-kick and that saved Marriott’s skin.

Nilsson was in at right back and Richard Shaw moved into the centre of defence in place of Mo Konjic who was missing with a knee injury. And it was the Sky Blues’ player manager who set up Lee Hughes for the best chance of the first half, but the former West Brom striker fired over from 25 yards.

Chippo then went close when he tried to lob Marriott as he raced on to a delightful flick from Bothroyd but the ball landed just wide of the Barnsley post.

Martinez was introduced immediately after the break. He soon made several surging runs that unsettled the Tykes’ defence, and on 53 minutes he made the pressure tell by putting City in the lead.

The Honduran began the move as he drove at the Barnsley back-line. He passed the ball back to Chippo but his effort was deflected into the path of Youssef Safri. The influential Moroccan found Thompson who in turn found Hughes on the right hand side of the box. The 25-year-old striker picked out Martinez in the middle and he powered home a header which left Marriott with no chance.

But the City goal seemed to galvanise Barnsley’s efforts and they went forward in search of an equaliser. Substitute Rory Fallon, who looked awkward as opposed to classy, began to cause the Sky Blues problems and it was left to the young striker to set-up a chance for Dyer who managed to turn it in to the net as he went sliding in.

Thompson went close to restoring the lead and Hughes forced Marriott into two fine saves. It was Barnsley, however, who were left ruing their luck and the referee when Dyer went down in the box in the dying seconds under a challenge from Breen but the ref waved away their claims for a penalty.

BARNSLEY  (3-5-2):
Marriott; Parkin (Donovan 62), Morgan, Barker; Regan, Neil, Ward (Tinkler 69), Gorre, Barnard; Dyer, Jones (Fallon 60)
Subs not used: Sheron, Ghent (gk)

COVENTRY CITY (4-4-2):
Hedman; Nilsson, Shaw, Breen, Edworthy; Thompson (Delorge 70), Safri, Carsley, Chippo (O’Neill 78); Bothroyd (Martinez 46), Hughes
Subs not used: Davenport, Goram (gk)

GOAL:
Barnsley - Dyer (79)
Coventry - Martinez (53)

REFEREE: S J Baines (Derbyshire)

BOOKINGS:
Barnsley – none
Coventry – Nilsson (foul, 66)

ATTENDANCE: 11,692

COVENTRY MAN OF THE MATCH:
Gary Breen - won everything at the back

COVENTRY LEAGUE POSITION: 10th with 14 points