Liam Kitching sinks his playoff-chasing Coventry club with two own goals.

Cardiff won thanks to the unfortunate defender’s two goals at the wrong end.

Two own goals from defender Liam Kitching led Coventry to a 2-1 home loss to Cardiff, stopping them from closing the gap on the Sky Bet Championship play-off places.

Norwich’s noon defeat at Leicester gave the Sky Blues an opportunity to get within one point of the top six, and they appeared to be on their way when Ellis Simms scored to extend his incredible goal-scoring run.

However, the unlucky Kitching twice put the ball in his own net, giving the mid-table Bluebirds their first win in three games and keeping Coventry and the Canaries four points apart.

Coventry’s first chance of the game came after six minutes, when Haji Wright surged through the middle and passed Kasey Palmer, whose shot was stopped by Cardiff’s Ethan Horvath.

The Sky Blues’ good start continued, with midfielder Ben Sheaf bending a beautiful drive from outside the box just over the bar, leaving Horvath well beaten.

Cardiff believed they should have been awarded a penalty in the 15th minute after Perry Ng was hauled down by Jake Bidwell’s challenge, but referee Leigh Doughty remained unconvinced.

After 22 minutes, Palmer transferred the ball to Milan van Ewijk, who sent a low cross that Simms converted for his 11th goal in seven games.

However, the Bluebirds equalised seven minutes later when Joe Ralls’ corner caused confusion, culminating in Kitching’s first own goal.

The Sky Blues’ best chance to restore the lead before halftime came when Van Ewijk dragged the ball back for Palmer, but he missed wide.

Cardiff nearly completed the reversal only 23 seconds after the restart, as Josh Bowler struck a long-range strike that sailed narrowly past the post.

A better opportunity for the Bluebirds came when Yakou Meite’s pass put Karlan Grant through on goal, but the striker fired wide.

After a rocky start to the second half, Coventry began to recover control, with Van Ewijk quickly finding his feet as Wright’s pass went his way before missing the target.

However, Kitching’s bad afternoon took a turn for the worst when Bowler’s cross rebounded off him and looped into the far corner, past a stranded Brad Collins, to give the visitors the lead.

Coventry manager Mark Robins turned to his bench to try to save the game, but going behind had clearly upset the hosts, who had lost their passing accuracy.

They actually had the ball in the net with six minutes left when Wright headed in Sheaf’s cross, but the linesman’s flag cut short Coventry’s celebrations, as their promotion aspirations were crushed.

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