Coventry ultimately paid the price for not turning a considerable first half advantage and opportunities into points with defeat at Goldington Road.

On a ground where they had not won since 2002, Cov, playing in their white change strip, had enough chances in the first half alone to have built up a reasonable lead playing down the notorious slope, but again a lack of decisive cutting edge cost the side dearly and probably the opportunity for what would have been a welcome victory.

Bedford might have scored within the opening two minutes after Coventry had lost possesion following a midfield scrum before the subsequent handling move was only halted close in courtesy of a forward pass. Following a mass brawl at the resulting scrum, home number eight Tupai received yellow and it was to prove to be the 34th minute before the Blues entered the Cov 22 again.

Despite hammering away with a one man adantage, Cov however simply could not make their pressure pay.After a Will Hurrell surge down the left, Sam Herrington, who had a fine match despite a leg injury made a big burst, Laurie McGlone being held from a 5 metre scrum.

The visitors did then take the lead on 18 minutes when after Dickson was penalised for not releasing, Myles Dorrian slotted the penalty from 42 metres. Both sides were turning over ball, Bedford also making a lot of handling errors and kicking poorly.

As Coventry continued to more than shade territory, George Dixon made ground into the home 22, Bedford came back, Pritchard missing a simple penalty opportunity on 39 minutes before the Canadian international levelled matters in first half injury time with a penalty as Cov were penalised in the tackle area.

3-3 ,but with the slope to defend, the Butts Park men really should have gone in front within a minute of the restart. The impressive Herrington burst clear from just inside Bedford territory before chipping ahead. With the race on, Donovan Sanders unfortunately knocked on right on the line and the clear chance had gone in a very defining moment of the match. Whilst the attacking position was maintained still no way could be found through before on 46 minutes, a Pritchard chip to the corner saw Tupai driven over for the opening try, Pritchard missing the conversion as he was to do with the subsequent three home tries scored.

However between the 52nd and 57th minutes Myles Dorrian landed two more penalties  to ease his side back 9-8 in front, a shrewd Ben Toft kick in between almost bringing a try for the chasing Will Hurrell.

It was to prove to be Coventry’s last real chance of a try until very late on as Bedford ran in three tries. Superb defence did keep them at bay until finally pressure told and on 60 minutes Dodge crossed in the left hand corner. Dorrian was short with a penalty attempt before Chris Whitehead received yellow agianst his old club much to the delight of the partisan home crowd and with a man advantage Bedford ran in two more tries. First replacement Harries crossed wide out after Pritchard initially looked as if he might chip to the corner from a penalty, lock Botha crashing over after 75 minutes for the bonus point claiming try.

In injury time Coventry again pressed without reward, with the last action Tommy Hayes being slightly harshly penalised for a knock on when a try once again beckoned.

Coventry. Ben Toft, Will Hurrell, George Dixon, Donovan Sanders, Ollie Winter, Myles Dorrian, Nathan Jones, Rob Dugard, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Sam Herrington, Carl Burgess, Henno Venter (Capt), Jamie Miller, Laurie McGlone

Replacements; Darren Clayton for Miller, David Lyons for Herrington, Stewart Pearl for Whitehead, Tom Slater for Jones, Tommy Hayes for Dixon, Ben Pons for Venter, Ricky Whitehall for Rob Dugard.

Coventry. Penalty goals; Myles Dorrian 3

Bedford. Tries; Paul Tupai, Ollie Dodge, Will Harries, Mouritz Botha.

Penalty goal; James Pritchard.