Town were held to a third successive away draw after Gavin Williams' debut goal was cancelled out by Gary McSheffrey at the Ricoh Arena.

Williams, on loan from West Ham, marked his debut with the opener on 49 minutes, diverting the ball into the net from 10 yards.

McSheffrey has proved to be a thorn in Town's side over the last two years and pulled his side back on level terms when he beat Lewis Price from 18 yards six minutes later.

Joe Royle made three changes to the team that beat Plymouth with skipper Jim Magilton, Ian Westlake and Williams coming in, Darren Currie, Matt Richards and the suspended Kevin Horlock making way.

The game was only minute old when Michael Doyle picked up a yellow card after a clash with Westlake, former Blue James Scowcroft then heading over from a decent position.

Williams then sent Nicky Forster free with a wonderful pass from deep and Westlake almost got on the end of the Town striker's cross, Marcus Hall clearing the danger.

McSheffrey linked up well with Dele Adebola but couldn't get his shot in from six yards but it was Town who were the better side and Jimmy Juan sent Forster clear only for Coventry 'keeper Marton Fulop to gather at his feet.

Forster went close again on 27 minutes, his header at the far post failing to hit the target after a great run by the former Reading player earlier in the move.

Jay McEveley picked up his fourth booking of the season for a foul on Doyle, with Coventry skipper Stephen Hughes firing the resultant free-kick against the outside of the far post.

Magilton put in Westlake, Hall saving his team again with another timely challenge while at the other end, Doyle shot straight at Price from 20 yards.

Forster shot wide just before the break as Town finished the half as they spent most of the first 45 minutes, on the attack.

Richards replaced Westlake at the break and four minutes later Town were ahead, Williams finding the net at Championship level for the second time in his career after Robert Page had failed to clear a Magilton cross.

Coventry were level six minutes later, McSheffrey twisting away from his marker and beating Price from the edge of the box to register his third goal in three games against Town.

The goal lifted the home side and Adebola twice failed to convert close range chances within the space of two minutes before the hour mark.

Currie replaced Magilton soon after and the substitute immediately found Richards, the England U21 international showing great skill to get in a snap shot at Fulop.

The Sky Blues' 'keeper then denied Sam Parkin, throwing himself at a cross in front of the Town striker as the game entered the closing stages, Richard Naylor just short of making contact with Currie's corner, seconds later.

Currie tested Fulop with a stinging drive, Dean Bowditch, on for Forster, couldn't get any power with a header, then Parkin was blocked out by Matt Heath as he tried to spin and shoot inside the box as Blues surged forward looking for the winner. 

With the fourth official's board showing four minutes of added on time, Parkin jabbed the ball just wide of the Coventry net with the last chance before referee Graham Salisbury brought an end to an entertaining contest.

Town: Price, Sito, De Vos, Naylor, McEveley, Magilton (Currie 61), Juan, Williams, Westlake (Richards 46), Parkin, Forster (Bowditch 78). Subs not used: Supple, Wilnis. Booked: McEveley.