Liam Rosenior made a 45-minute comeback from injury for Albion tonight as they made a tame exit from the Checkatrade Trophy.

Simon Rusk's under-21s were beaten 3-0 by Coventry in the last 16 tie at the Ricoh Arena.

Rosenior, playing at right-back, returned in the first half from more than four months out with an ankle fracture and ligament damage.

Midfielder Rohan Ince was the other senior pro in the side ahead of another probable loan exit this month.

They could do little to prevent a defeat that would have been much heavier had it not been for an outstanding display by Robert Sanchez.

Albion's 19-year-old Spaniard made a series of saves in the first half to keep them in contention.

 

Goals either side of the interval by Coventry's Portugese midfielder Ruben Lameiras and George Thomas and a late strike by Ryan Haynes clinched a place in the quarter-finals for League One strugglers Coventry, now managed by ex-Albion chief Russell Slade.

Albion boss Chris Hughton and his assistant Paul Trollope were in a crowd of just over 2,000 to see Rosenior edge his way back towards the first team picture.

Coventry City (4-2-3-1): Charles-Cook; Kelly-Evans, Stokes (Finch 46), Harries, Haynes; Gadzhev (Stevenson 76), Bigirimana; Thomas, Jones, Lameiras; Beavon (Tudgay 59). Subs not used: Burge, Rose, Reilly, Maycock.

Albion Under-21s (4-1-4-1): Sanchez; Rosenior (White 46), Hall, Barclay, Cox; Hutchinson (Ward 59); Tilley, Ince, Molumby, Bjordal; Tighe (Mandroiu 69). Subs not used: McGill, Cadman, Barnett, Davies.

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire).

Attendance: 2,085.