Town paid the price for failing to convert first-half chances with Danny Haynes' goal not enough to end Blues travel problems.

Julian Gray put the home side ahead on 10 minutes after Neil Alexander had denied Michael Mifsud from close range but Blues had chances to equalise with Alan Lee, Pablo Counago and Haynes all failing to find the net from great positions.

Haynes levelled the scores though on 40 minutes when he headed in after David Wright's piledriver from distance had hit the woodwork and Jon Walters was close to a second before the break with a header that was deflected over.

The second-half was a tepid affair with Coventry having the better of what few chances there were and from their best opening, Dele Adebola won the game for Iain Dowie's side just past the hour to give the Sky Blues their first League win against Town in 13 years with Blues losing Tommy Miller to a red card in the closing minutes.

Town boss Jim Magilton made three changes after the defeat at Leicester with Alex Bruce ruled out with a groin injury. Dan Harding was left on the sidelines with Chris Casement and Fabian Wilnis coming in. Haynes replaced Gavin Williams in a tactical change.

Matt Richards, back on loan from Brighton, was in the 16 for the first time this season, starting on the bench alongside teenager Jordan Rhodes.

Mifsud wasted a gilt edged chance to put Coventry ahead on two minutes when Jason De Vos got caught out but the Malta international blazed over when clean through.

Counago weaved his way into the box but couldn't find a team-mate with a cross before the Sky Blues took the lead, De Vos slipping to allow Dele Adebola to break clear. The big striker fed Mifsud whose close range effort was brilliantly saved by Alexander but Gray was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Haynes had a chance to level soon after but his control let him down from Walters' cross, Andy Marshall grabbing the ball before the Town striker could get his shot in.

Walters curled the ball wide from Lee's pass then a terrific reverse pass from Counago set up his strike partner but Arjan De Zeeuw's tackle thwarted the Republic of Ireland international, referee Iain Williamson judging the challenge inside the box legal, Lee then shooting straight at Marshall.

The former Town No.1 was the busier of the two 'keepers and saved brilliantly from Counago's point blank header from Haynes' cross when the Spaniard seemed certain to score.

Counago's normal immaculate touch let him down from Casement's cross as Town threatened an equaliser and it came on 40 minutes, Wright's rocket shot from 30 yards tipped on to the underside of the bar by Marshall and Haynes did the rest from five yards.

Walters almost made it two in two minutes when his header from a corner was deflected just over while at the other end, the dangerous Mifsud sent a 30 yarder inches over the bar. The final action of the half seeing Alexander doing well to keep out an inswinging corner as De Zeeuw challenged, the Sky Blues' defender booked for his troubles.

Coventry made a change at the break with Gray replaced by Liam Davis and within five minutes of the restart, Kevin Thornton came on for the injured Jay Tabb.

Counago's backheel almost put in Miller on the edge of the box, then Owen Garvan had a volley blocked before the Sky Blues grabbed the winner just past the hour,Adebola shrugging off Walters' challenge before sliding the ball past Alexander after Davis had put him in.

Casement cleared off the line three minutes later from an Adebola header, while the introduction of Thornton added more attacking menace to the home side with the wideman whipping in a great cross that Mifsud could not convert.

Walters fired wide with Town's first and only real opening of the second-half, Blues then making a first change with Gavin Williams on for Counago.

Alexander's clearance fell to Thornton 40 yards out but the Sky Blue failed to take advantage before a flurry of substitutes over the last 10 minutes, Jordan Rhodes on for Lee, Elliott Ward replacing Stephen Hughes.

Miller saw a second yellow for a foul on Michael Doyle, although there looked minimal contact with Liam Trotter on for Casement in the last minute as Coventry eased their way to the final whistle.

Coventry: Marshall, Osbourne, De Zeeuw, Turner, Borrowdale, Tabb, Hughes, Doyle, Gray, Adebola, Mifsud. Subs not used: Ward, Thornton, Davis, Hildreth, Simmonds. Booked: De Zeeuw, Borrowdale.

Town: Alexander, Casement (Trotter 89), De Vos, Wilnis, Wright, Haynes, Garvan, Miller, Walters, Lee (Rhodes 80), Counago (Williams 71). Subs not used: Supple, Richards.  Sent-off: Miller. Booked: Miller, Haynes.