Maynard frustrated as weakened Coventry miss chances.

Cov had the lion’s share of possession and territory in both halves at Volac Park but they failed to register a try in the first period to trail 21-6 and after pulling back to 28-27 were then denied a losing bonus point deep in injury-time when they conceded a penalty try.

Centres James Whybrow, who scored one of Cov’s three second-half tries, and James Otutaha made promising debuts for Cov while 18-year-old flanker Owen Whittle came on to the bench for the first time as injuries continue to eat into the Butts Park Arena squad.

“The damage was done in the first half,” conceded rugby director Phil Maynard. “We couldn’t nail it – it comes down to taking chances and the final execution wasn’t there.

“When you are in a bit of a fight as we are and disrupted by injuries, it’s difficult to play a free-flowing game and get over the line.

“We played some good rugby in the second half but it wasn’t quite there and we were losing momentum at the vital moment.

“There were some good points that we can take from it – Elliott Read had an excellent game and the new lads who came in did well. We just have to keep working at it and get through the situation we are in.” Backs trio Mark O’Connor (hamstring), Tom Harris (shoulder) and Andy Murray (groin) were all added to Cov’s growing list of injuries last week, taking the number of currently sidelined players who have figured in the team this season into double figures.

Prop Chris Beer, 22, has signed for the rest of the season from National League Two North leaders Loughborough Students.