Manchester had eased into a 3-0 lead in the first three periods but the advantage was cut to 4-2 as Coventry rallied. Clayton reduced the margin to 4-3 with a little over a minute remaining - then hit the late, late equaliser after Manchester had a player excluded.
Women's champions Liverpool made short work of Penguin Emperors, chalking up a runaway 20-1 victory. Kathryn Fowler led the goal spree with six. The Londoners' solitary goal, by Chiara Palazzo, arrived with Liverpool already 15 goals ahead.
The other London side, Otter, fared better, beating Caledonia 14-9.