Coventry City came from a goal down to ease past League One Stevenage with a comfortable 3-1 pre-season win at the Lamex Stadium.

The Sky Blues fell behind in only the second minute when the home side broke down the left wing and pulled the ball back to Dan Phillips just outside the D, leaving the attacking midfielder time and space to drill home a powerful shot past Brad Collins.

But young striker Justin Obikwu got the visitors back on level terms when he won a penalty after being brought down by the keeper in the 18th minute, and then converted from 12 yards with a precise finish. Bobby Thomas then extended the lead three minutes later when he got on the end of a Josh Eccles’ corner, sending in a flicked header from the near post to the back stick.

Obikwu then turned provider just before the break to set up Fabio Tavares who hit a delightful first time shot into the top corner to make it 3-1 in the 43rd minute.

Mark Robins made wholesale changes in the 66th minute, after which Ben Sheaf limped off injured and Ephron Mason-Clark was denied a fourth for City when a far post header was brilliantly saved by Stevenage’s triallist keeper and clear home man of the match.

STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-1-3

BRAD COLLINS:

Beaten by and hard and low shot from distance but, to be fair, may well have been unsighted due to players in front of him. Pinched clear a threatening free-kick towards half-time, having had very little to do for the most part. Dropped low to deny Phillips on the hour.

JACK BURROUGHS:

Strong, quick and physical, the 23-year-old slotted in at right-back. Terrific pace and looks a real athlete after his year away at Lincoln.