Coventry City 2, Everton 2 - Joleon Lescott's silence speaks volumes

Moyes had, not without good reason, hit out over the weekend at the lack of class shown by City and the disrespect they have shown towards the Goodison outfit over their continued pursuit of Lescott.

Everton have already dismissed two offers for the 26-year-old with Moyes unwilling to part with any of his squad, a stance resolutely backed by chairman Bill Kenwright.

Nevertheless, City are expected to imminently lodge a further improved bid to further test the Goodison resolve.

Lescott, of course, could end a saga that is adding unwanted intrigue to Everton's Premier League preparations by publicly declaring he is going nowhere.

But his ongoing silence is merely fuelling the fire; Evertonians will hope it does not prove telling.

Without Lescott, Everton posted a performance that was in parts encouraging against their Coca-Cola Championship hosts.

Yet the manner in which they twice let the lead slip due to some slipshod defending underlined why Moyes is so keen to hold on to Lescott during this transfer window, particularly with Phil Jagielka sidelined until well into the new campaign.

Following the keenly contested encounters in North America against River Plate and the MLS All-Stars, this was another worthwhile run-out for Moyes's side in what was a testimonial for Coventry's veteran full-back Marcus Hall.

The matchday programme illustrated the impact the defender has made on the local community throughout his career, but the stadium announcer was stretching things a bit when declaring the home supporters had turned out in force for the match.

Steven Pienaar, who missed the victory over the MLS All-Stars in Salt Lake City due to a thigh injury, was again sidelined, while Louis Saha, who scored on Wednesday night, was rested.

The absentees meant Jack Rodwell stepped back into the heart of defence alongside Joseph Yobo, while Marouane Fellaini ostensibly patrolled the left flank of midfield.

Moyes believes Rodwell will ultimately develop into a successful centre-back, and the youngster will have learned from attempting to keep the experienced Clinton Morrison in check. Quite whether Rodwell is yet capable of stepping in at that position when the hurly-burly of the Premier League begins is another matter, however.

Resplendent in their new away kit of black with - there's no avoiding the fact - pink trim, Everton were comfortably in control during the opening period, with Jo influential.

The Brazilian is clearly enjoying life back at Goodison after his profitable spell on loan earlier in the year, and continues to hint at why Manchester City splashed out £18m to bring him to the Premier League 12 months ago.

Jo saw a header clawed away by Keiren Westwood after Cahill's flick-on after seven minutes, and shortly afterwards was again denied by the Coventry goalkeeper after cleverly making space for an angled left-foot drive.

His efforts came to fruition in the 16th minute. After a fine turn lost the attentions of former Liverpool defender Stephen Wright, Jo pulled the ball back into the path of the incoming Cahill. Although the initial shot was blocked by Westwood's legs, the Australian made no mistake with the rebound.

Pre-season is a notorious barometer of future success. But coming to Everton has evidently reignited Jo's love for the game and given the striker the environment in which to prosper, a point to ponder for anyone considering a move away from Goodison.

Phil Neville humoured the travelling contingent with some speculative shooting but Leon Osman and Fellaini were much closer with shots from range.

Coventry, whose competitive season begins on Sunday, rarely threatened going forward save one penalty box scramble that ended with Yobo clearing off the line from Leon Best.

So it will have disappointed Moyes that the defence momentarily switched off 10 minutes before the break to allow Ashley Cain the time to cross low from the right and Michael Doyle the space to finish at the far post.

Jo again came close shortly after the interval, but Coventry took heart from their equaliser and made the game much more competitive during the second half.

Fellaini, who Moyes later revealed has been struggling to shake off the effects of a debilitating virus throughout pre-season, solicited a fine flying save from Westwood to turn over his dipping 25-yard effort, while Tim Howard - a half-time replacement for Carlo Nash - held a Doyle shot at his near post. Everton youngsters James Wallace, Jose Baxter, Keiran Agard and Lukas Jutkiewicz were given the chance to impress during the final quarter, but the entertainment level dropped to such an extent the stadium announcer kept the crowd amused with updates from the third Ashes Test.

The visitors, though, were determined to finish with a flourish and Baxter will have done his cause no harm with a well-worked goal in the 85th minute, bursting forward from midfield and exchanging passes with Fellaini before crashing the Belgian's lay-off home from 20 yards, despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Westwood.

But Coventry earned a draw in the final moments when further slack Everton defending allowed Aron Gunnarsson to force the ball home.