Two late goals for Coventry United meant that despite leading for the vast majority of the game, Hinckley start the campaign with back to back defeats.
Following the debacle at Daventry, supporters needed to see a big improvement, and they got it as Hinckley were a much more organised outfit.
But a single goal lead left them vulnerable and having their noses in front for so long meant this was a tough defeat to take.
Joe Conneely made a trio of changes, including a return to Hinckley colours for Adam Harrison and Matt Dawson and they settled well, looking composed on the ball in the early stages.
Lewis Rankin, on his record breaking appearance, curled an early effort over before AFC took a tenth minute lead, when Jared Bradshaw was tripped by Ben Vallance and he got up to convert the resulting penalty for Hinckley’s first goal of the campaign.
It could have been two moments later, Bradshaw’s corner found Billy Snaith who made good contact but headed over before Harrison made smart saves from Stan Dube and Cameron Dunn to preserve Hinckley’s lead at the interval.
The second half developed into a close fought affair, as Hinckley continued to frustrate their hosts who made a trio of substitutions to try and alter the flow of the game. However, it was a change Hinckley were forced into that proved crucial as Ky Green, who was solid alongside the outstanding Oli Szymanski at the heart of defence, had to limp out of the action.
The tide began to turn in United’s favour as Hinckley’s slender lead began to look fragile. Harrison did well to race off his line and block Ryan Harkin and the keeper then made a superb save to claw away Brady Middleton’s glancing header.
As the game entered the final five minutes, United levelled. Keeper Dan Moore’s free kick from halfway was delivered into the heart of AFC’s defence and Charlie Faulkner ghosted into the space to guide his header home.
The cheers of relief from the home fans had barely died down when they completed the turnaround. From a Hinckley corner, Coventry broke quickly and Harkin did well to hold off his man as he made ground to the edge of the area before a typically classy finish against his former club.
Hinckley’s misery was complete when Chandler Pegg was shown a second yellow card in mysterious circumstances, leaving the visiting contingent to reflect on an improved performance but no points prior to Saturday’s break from league action with Highgate’s visit in the FA Cup.
Coventry Utd: Dan Moore, Harry Wilson, James Sanderson, Stephan Morley, Ben Vallance, Chris Cox, Stan Dube (Charlie Faulkner 36), Scott Hammond (James Ritson 58), Ryan Harkin, Cameron Dunn (Charlie Shaw 46), Benjamin Adamoko (Brady Middleton 58). Sub not used: Josh O’Grady.
Goals: Charlie Faulker (87), Ryan Harkin (89)
Hinckley: Adam Harrison, Matt Dawson, Lucinee Donzo, Billy Snaith (Reece Massey 46), Ky Green (Nick Brandish 70), Oli Szymanski, MJ Semahimbo (Chandler Pegg 54), Zaki Evans, Bryan Kohyrelon, Lewis Rankin (Luke Jones 62), Jared Bradshaw. Sub not used: Caleb Yeboah.
Goal: Jared Bradshaw (10 pen)
Attendance: 249
