Robins cannot fault Coventry effort in defeat

Stoke's former Coventry boss Mark Robins remains popular among Sky Blues fans

Stoke City boss Mark Robins said his side were not at their best but were unlucky to lose out to his former club Coventry City.

Ephron Mason-Clark grabbed a late winner in a tight game of few chances.

"I think the manner of the defeat is even more difficult to take," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke. "I'm disappointed with the result, I'm not disappointed with the effort we showed – the lads have given everything and we've been really competitive.

"I can't remember any clear-cut chances that they had – there was some good play but they play for corners, long throws and put you under pressure that way.

"We didn't mark properly from the long throw and we got punished for it, that's the disappointment for us.

"In terms of overall play, it was pretty nip and tuck but we had the best chance of the game with Mill (Manhoef) right in front of the goal from a Sorba Thomas cross and we didn't take it.

"That was huge – had we taken that, it could have been slightly different. I thought one or two were off it today, we didn't get enough of a spark when we needed that."