Bradden Inman's first-half strike has seen Crewe Alexandra reach half time on level terms with high-flying Coventry City.

The game was delayed by 15 minutes after queues of Sky Blues fans looked to pay on the gate at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry supporters were nearly rewarded for their patience as both Adam Armstrong and James Maddison went close for the hosts.

They were not made to wait long as City hit the front after Alex cleared a Maddison corner, but only to John Fleck, who smashed the ball into the back of Ben Garratt's net.

Garratt was forced to keep out Jim O'Brien's shot from the edge of the box as Coventry went in search of a second.

However, Crewe got back on level terms on 31 minutes as Inman's curling shot left City keeper Lee Burge beaten.

Reda Johnson tried to restore Coventry's lead before the break, but Garratt again produced a save to keep out the home side, who had started the game in the automatic promotion places.