Town made it seven home wins on the trot with a convincing victory in front of the Sky cameras, Pablo Counago grabbing a brace.

Jason De Vos sent Blues on the way on 10 minutes with a flicked header, with Counago doubling the lead midway through the half after showing a cool head to score from close range.

Jon Walters followed up his winner against Crystal Palace when the live TV cameras were last at Portman Road with a near post header just before the break to make it three.

Counago then made it four 10 minutes after the restart before Stephen Hughes scored the goal of the match - a consolation for the visitors though - with a 30 yard free-kick.

Town boss Jim Magilton made one change from the side the lost at West Brom last week, Gary Roberts returning for Sylvain Legwinski on the left side of midfield.

Roberts was immediately in the action, setting up a cross that was stabbed clear by Arjan De Zeeuw as Alan Lee looked set to pounce.

Lee then sent a header wide while at the other end, Jay Tabb dragged his shot wide from a good position.

Blues didn't have to wait long for the opener though, Owen Garvan swung in a free-kick and De Vos flicked the ball past Dimi Konstantopoulos from close range under De Zeeuw's challenge.

Leon Best, who carried the main threat for the visitors, almost latched on to a Michael Doyle pass but it was Town who dominated possession, Tommy Miller having a shot blocked for a corner after the Sky Blues had scrambled De Vos' header clear.

Lee and Counago then linked up but Lee's cross just evaded his strike partner at the far post, then Lee had a volley beaten out by Konstantopoulos.

Town doubled the advantage on 24 minutes, Walters headed back across goal and Counago showed skill and strength to beat De Zeeuw and flick the ball past the 'keeper.

Roberts shot inches wide after Counago's drive had been blocked, Miller then testing Konstantopoulos with a low drive that the 'keeper held.

Garvan picked up the first yellow card of the game for a foul but it didn't upset the Irishman's drive and another raking pass released Walters whose cross was headed away by Marcus Hall.

Dan Harding's 25 yard strike was kicked off the line by Hughes as Town threatened at every turn and from the resultant corner, Roberts fed the ball back in and Walters escaped his marker again to head in at the near post.

Another flowing move a minute before the break saw Miller denied by the outstretched leg of Konstantopoulos, with Best having the last effort of the half, his deflected shot going wide.

Dele Adebola almost pulled Coventry back into the game in the first minute of the second-half, Alex Bruce's header falling short of Neil Alexander but the Scottish international did enough to keep out the striker's effort. Adebola,who appealed for a penalty, then replaced by Michael Mifsud.

Best was booked for lifting his foot as Alexander cleared as the visitors started to show their frustration and their mood darkened further on 56 minutes when Garvan crossed, Walters flicked on, Lee's header was pushed out by Konstantopoulos but Counago buried the rebound from four yards.

Coventry did pull one back on 68 minutes and in some style. Hughes thundering in a free-kick from 30 yards.

Cairo became the third player to be booked by Trevor Kettle after a lunge at Harding, then squaring up to the defender.

Jaime Peters replaced Roberts on 73 minutes, the Canadian international setting up Garvan for a cross the was coolly dealt with by Hughes after Walters had won yet another header at the far post. Chris Casement then coming on for Bruce. Kevin Thornton also joining the action for Tabb.

Lee almost made it five, his point blank header held by Konstantopoulos, with Casement at the other end in the right place to clear from Cairo's cross, the Sky Blue then limping off after falling awkwardly, Robbie Simpson his replacement.

Coventry to their credit kept battling, Best heading over but Town ran out worthy winners, recording a fifth win in six games shown live on Sky over the last two years, with Jim coming out on top in his head to head duel with Coventry boss and close friend, Iain Dowie.

Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Bruce (casement 78), Harding, Walters, Garvan, T.Miller, Roberts (Peters 73), Lee, Counago (Clarke 87). Subs not used: Supple, Legwinski. Booked: Garvan.

Coventry: Konstantopoulos, Osbourne, De Zeeuw, Hall, Borrowdale, Cairo, Hughes, Doyle, Tabb (Thornton 78), Adebola (Mifsud 56), Best. Subs not used: Ward, Simpson, Marshall. Booked: Best,Cairo.