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MARK HUGHES’ 200th game in charge of Stoke City turned out to be his last - after the Potters crashed out of the FA Cup to League Two Coventry City.

Goals from Jordan Willis and a deflected Jack Grimmer winner was enough to send Mark Robins’ Sky Blues through to the fourth round.

 Coventry inflicted further misery on Stoke boss Mark Hughes with a shock win in the FA Cup
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Coventry inflicted further misery on Stoke boss Mark Hughes with a shock win in the FA CupCredit: PA:Press Association
 Sparky lost his job after the embarrassing defeat against the League Two side
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Sparky lost his job after the embarrassing defeat against the League Two sideCredit: Reuters

But there was nothing to celebrate for Sparky as the beleaguered Stoke boss was again targeted by furious fans after this latest disaster.

Hughes was sacked later in the evening by Stoke.

Jordan Willis headed Coventry in front after 25 minutes when Jack Grimmer headed on Jordan Maguire-Drew’s near-post corner and the centre half powered his back post header beyond Butland.

Although Charlie Adam gave the Potters a brief glimmer of hope when he converted a second half penalty to level the score at 1-1, Coventry refused to buckle.

And it was swiftly wiped out by Coventry’s Grimmer of hope as the Sky Blues’ right-back rifled in his shot from the edge of box, which took a decisive deflection on its way past England ‘keeper Butland.

 Jordan Willis opened the scoring as he headed home during the fist half
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Jordan Willis opened the scoring as he headed home during the fist halfCredit: PA:Press Association
 Charlie Adam then levelled the scores from the penalty spot
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Charlie Adam then levelled the scores from the penalty spotCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 Jack Grimmer would have the final say as he hit the winner with just over twenty minutes to go
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Jack Grimmer would have the final say as he hit the winner with just over twenty minutes to goCredit: Reuters

Despite sending on a flurry of forwards when Hughes pitched Peter Crouch, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Xherdan Shaqiri into the fray, Stoke lacked composure and ideas.

In the end they could have absolutely no complaints about being humbled by a side 53 places below them on the football ladder.


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It was the Potters’ eighth defeat in their last 11 games.

And the anger at their disastrous run spilled over into the stands.

Away supporters held up a number of banners targeting Hughes and clashed with stewards and home fans too on a bad-tempered afternoon.

Next up is a trip to Old Trafford for Stoke, the Theatre of Dreams where Hughes forged his reputation as a fearsome fighter.

 Mark Hughes was sacked after the embarrassing defeat
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Mark Hughes was sacked after the embarrassing defeatCredit: Reuters
 There were angry scenes in the stands as Stoke fans made their feelings clear
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There were angry scenes in the stands as Stoke fans made their feelings clearCredit: Reuters
 Stoke fans then clashed with stewards as they appeared to be trying to get at the home supporters
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Stoke fans then clashed with stewards as they appeared to be trying to get at the home supportersCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 A number of home fans then proceeded to make an attempt to confront the visiting contingent
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A number of home fans then proceeded to make an attempt to confront the visiting contingentCredit: Getty Images - Getty

He will require all those qualities and more if he is to be in charge for game No.201.

Right now the odds are stacked against him.

And he is struggling for support - but it remains to be seen whether he still has it from his board after this latest embarrassment.

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 A red flare was thrown onto the pitch to interrupt the game at the Ricoh Arena
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A red flare was thrown onto the pitch to interrupt the game at the Ricoh ArenaCredit: Reuters
 Peter Crouch's introduction was unable to save Stoke from misery
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Peter Crouch's introduction was unable to save Stoke from miseryCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Jordan Willis wheels away in delight after finding the net for Coventry
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Jordan Willis wheels away in delight after finding the net for CoventryCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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