Billy Clarke was the Town hero for a second game in succession, firing in the winner just four minutes from time.

The Cork hitman, who grabbed the winner against Southampton on Saturday, had only been on the pitch six minutes when he rode a challenge midway into Coventry's half and buried a low strike past Andy Marshall in the Sky Blues' goal.

Mark Noble had given Town the lead early in the second-half only for Elliott Ward to equalise on 72 minutes.

Fabian Wilnis returned to the side after missing Saturday's win over Southampton, Alex Bruce moving inside to partner Jason De Vos. Richard Naylor making way.

Sylvain Legwinski made his first start for Blues with former Town 'keeper Marshall returning to Portman Road, in goal for the visitors.

Billy celebrates his winner against Coventry

Coventry started brightly, Kevin Kyle thumping a header over from Kevin Thornton's cross on six minutes but it was Town who should have opened the scoring, Jon Macken and Alan Lee combining well to set up Gavin Williams who dragged his shot wide from six yards.

Lee was inches wide of finding the net soon after, deflecting Noble's shot past Marshall and the far post.

Kyle had Coventry's best chance of the half on 20 minutes, Stephen Hughes' free-kick headed across goal by Robert Page but the former Sunderland frontman failed to head home.

Legwinski fired wide from 20 yards after Noble's pass, then a Noble free-kick was headed goalwards by De Vos but took a deflection off Ward for a corner.

Lee sent a header at Marshall before Bruce picked up his fifth booking of the season for a harsh foul on Kyle, leaving him suspended for the visit from Sunderland.

Ward soon followed into referee Paul Taylor's notebook for a foul on Williams. Noble sending the free-kick into the wall from 20 yards.

Stern John just failed to convert at the near post in the opening seconds of the second-half before Blues took the lead, Noble flashing the ball past Marshall from eight yards.

The on-loan midfielder from West Ham was close to a second goal moments later, meeting a cross from the right with a volley just over.

Leon McKenzie replaced Andrew Whing on the hour with Kyle then showing a neat touch with a chip that was held by Price.

Noble picked up a yellow card for a foul on Thornton on the edge of the Town box, Hughes sending the free-kick into the wall.

Naylor replaced Wilnis on 66 minutes, Bruce reverting to right-back, with Kyle then booked for dissent after being judged to have fouled De Vos.

Another foul on the dangerous Thornton on the edge of the box saw the midfielder flight a left foot curler against the bar with Price beaten.

Coventry made their second change with Colin Cameron replacing Michael Doyle and the Sky Blues were immediately level, McKenzie firing across goal for Ward to slam the ball home.

Clarke joined the action with 10 minutes left, replacing Macken and Town almost regained the lead seconds later, Marshall saving well from Simon Walton's low drive.

Don Hutchison replaced Thornton on 83 minutes in Coventry's final change, Darren Currie coming on for Noble.

The stage was set for Clarke to grab the spotlight again seconds later, the teenager shrugging off a challenge and firing low past Marshall into the far corner.

Cameron went close in the five minutes of added on time, McKenzie's header blasted clear by Naylor and Marshall even came up for a last second corner, heading wide as Blues held on to make it three wins on the trot.

Price, Wilnis (Naylor 66), De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Williams, Walton, Legwinski, Noble (Currie 84), Macken (Clarke 79), Lee. Subs not used: Supple, Sito, Booked: Bruce, Noble, Harding.