Coventry moved ahead of opponents Doncaster Rovers after taking all three points at the Ricoh Arena.
Coventry leapfrog Doncaster after single strike settles the result
Coventry moved ahead of opponents Doncaster Rovers after taking all three points at the Ricoh Arena.
The win means the Sky Blues leapfrog Doncaster into 14th place in the Championship. The home side carved out a 1-0 win in an entertaining game which was settled early in the first half.
David Bell opened the scoring on 20 minutes for the Sky Blues with a sensational long range effort, leaving Neil Sullivan no chance in the Doncaster goal.
The goal proved to be the only one of the game which was enough to hand all three points to Chris Coleman's men. There were many chances at either end, but both keepers were on top form to constantly deny their opposition, racking up 15 saves between them.
The win takes Coventry to 50 points and should now ensure they do not get sucked into a relegation battle, but a play-off charge may still be out of the question.
Opener
Coventry had looked the better side in the opening stages. With 20 minutes gone, Sullivan came rushing out of his goal to clear Keiren Westwood's goal-kick - only for it to go straight to Bell, who finished superbly from 45 yards.
It was no more than Coventry deserved.
Stephen Wright saw a shot hit the post minutes later, and at the other end Westwood made a good save from John Spicer as Doncaster pressed forward before the break.
Westwood had to be alert to deny Dean Shiels early in the second half, but Coventry held on to record their first victory in five matches and move nine points clear of the bottom three.
The defeat was Doncaster's third in a row without scoring and left them with work to do to secure their Championship status for next season.
The home side almost went in front with two minutes gone when Aron Gunnarsson headed into the path of Jordan Henderson, who cut the ball across for Freddy Eastwood. But his shot skimmed the top of the bar.
Rhythm
Doncaster quickly found their rhythm, and Wilson was allowed to stride forward unchallenged before unleashing a long-range effort which Westwood did well to turn around the post.
Shortly after Coventry's opener, they went agonisingly close to doubling their lead when Gunnarsson's throw was headed straight into the path of Wright - whose first-time shot cannoned back off the post.
The visitors began to come into the game late in the half. Spicer was played in, but Westwood was quickly off his line to block the shot.
Doncaster continued where they left off at the start of the second half, and a quick break saw Shiels get away inside the area. But once again, Westwood did well to save the shot.
Coventry did still look dangerous, though, and Guillaume Beuzelin's cross found Scott Dann - but his flicked header went just over the bar.
Doncaster's Mark Wilson fired a long-range effort wide, and at the other end Gunnarsson saw his shot well blocked by Adam Lockwood.
Doncaster tried to push for a way back in the closing stages, but Coventry held firm to secure a battling three points.
