Coventry 4 Barnsley 1 - 17/03/2007

Coventry 4 Barnsley 1 - 17/03/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Adam Virgo, Colin Hawkins, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Isaac Osbourne (Christopher Birchall 72), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb (Leon McKenzie 76), Michael Mifsud (Colin Cameron 86), Dele Adebola
Subs not used: Robert Page, Luke Steele
Goals: Tabb 27, Mifsud 32, Adebola 38, Adebola 50

Barnsley: Istvan Ferenczi, Grant McCann, Neil Austin (Bobby Hassell 52), Paul Reid, Nick Colgan, Sam Togwell, Martin Devaney (Kyle Reid 52), Paul Heckingbottom, Peter Rajczi, Lewin Nyatanga, Brian Howard (Daniel Nardiello 59)
Subs not used: David Lucas, Adam Eckersley
Booked: Peter Rajczi 90
Goals: Hassell 79

Attendance: 21609
Referee: M Russell

Teamtalk
Coventry recorded their biggest win under Iain Dowie as Barnsley slipped back towards the drop zone with a 4-1 defeat at the Ricoh Arena.

Managing director Paul Fletcher used a wedding analogy to give an update on the proposed takeover at the club this week in which he said: "We are up the aisle and at the alter but we have yet to exchange vows."

But as far as things go on the pitch, the honeymoon continued for Dowie as he saw his side stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

Jay Tabb took advantage of the time and space afforded to him by the Barnsley backline by opening the scoring from just outside the box in the 27th minute.

The free summer signing from League One side Brentford had failed to find the net prior to Dowie's arrival but this was his second in six games under the new boss.

Five minutes later City doubled their lead when Michael Mifsud, who was so impressive in the 2-1 win against Midlands rivals Wolves in midweek, grabbed his first goal for the club.

Marcus Hall broke free down the left and cut the ball back from the byline for the Malta international to steer home from close range.

Mifsud then turned provider by crossing from the right of the area for Dele Adebola to drill into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Adebola grabbed his second of the game five minutes into the second half when, following a long punt forward from Colin Hawkins, the Nigerian out-muscled two Barnsley defenders to get into a position where he was able to notch his ninth goal of the season.

Bobby Hassell headed home Daniel Nardiello's cross in the 79th-minute but it was mere consolation for the Tykes.

Isaac Osbourne tested Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan early on with a shot from the edge of the area before Mifsud hit the crossbar with a curling left-footed effort in the 12th-minute.

Barnsley responded immediately by hitting the crossbar themselves through Sam Togwell's 18-yard shot.

Coventry hit their hosts with three goals in a devastating 11-minute spell prior to the break before Adebola compounded Barnsley's misery after the restart.

Barnsley boss Simon Davey immediately made a double substitution bringing on Kyel Reid and Bobby Hassell for Martin Devaney and Neil Austin before making his final change just before the hour when top scorer Brian Howard was replaced by Nardiello.

In between the Tykes had Colgan to thank for keeping the score respectable when he blocked a fiercely-struck shot from Michael Doyle.

At the other end Andy Marshall produced a fine one-handed save to tip Istvan Ferenczi's shot around the post when he was called into action for the first time in the 61st-minute.

There was little Marshall could do to keep out Hassell's header but no dramatic comeback was forthcoming and Coventry completed the league double over the Tykes.

CCFC
A scintillating first-half display inspired the Sky Blues to their biggest win of the season against struggling Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena.

Strikes from Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud and Dele Adebola - all in an eleven minute spell - set Iain Dowie's men on course for a sixth unbeaten outing before Adebola sealed the Tykes fate with a fourth goal after the break.

Substitute Bobby Hassell rescued some pride for Simon Davey's visitors with a 79th minute header, but by then the damage had already been done.

Boss Dowie named an unchanged side to the one which beat Wolves in midweek with Mifsud again given a chance to impress despite the return from injury of Leon McKenzie, who settled for a place on the bench.

The diminutive Maltese international immediately set about making an impact as he fired against the inside of both posts before the ball bounced fortuitously into the arms of a relieved Nick Colgan with the game only 12 minutes old.

Then, just seconds later, Sam Togwell's fierce drive from 25-yards cannoned off the top of the crossbar for the Tykes with Marshall beaten.

Mifsud again stung the fingers of Colgan with a low shot as City continued to press and their reward arrived on the half-hour when Tabb's snap-shot found its way into the net from 12-yards despite a strong hand from Colgan.

Mifsud was proving a persistent nuisance to the Barnsley backline as he searched for his first goal at the Ricoh Arena, which duly arrived in the 32nd minute.

The ball found its way out to Marcus Hall on the City left and the reliable full-back crossed perfectly for Mifsud to volley home from close-range.

And with the Tykes still reeling from that, yet more incisive attacking play led to a third goal five minutes later.

Isaac Osbourne's superb threaded pass set Mifsud free down the right flank and he squared for Adebola to send a powerful shot into the top corner.

Adebola started the second-half in the same way he finished the first - by grabbing another goal.

This time, it was all his own work as he bustled his way through three Barnsley defenders before poking the ball into the roof of the net.

Colgan beat away a goal-bound volley from Michael Doyle shortly after, while on the hour, Marshall was forced into his first notable save of the match - diving to his right to turn away Istvan Ferenczi's angled drive.

The City 'keeper was then alert to deny substitute Kyel Reid from the edge of the box, but from the resulting corner, Hassell glanced in Danny Nardiello's corner.

But it was too little too late for the Tykes as Iain Dowie's men marched to their sixth match without defeat and their fourth successive victory at the Ricoh.

4thegame
Dele Adebola grabbed two goals to stretch Coventry City's unbeaten record under Iain Dowie to six matches and ensure Barnsley's first visit to the Ricoh Arena ended in misery.

After a low-key start, Coventry should have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Michael Mifsud outpaced Barnsley skipper Paul Reid inside the box only to watch his shot hit the left and then right post.

The visitors responded with an excellent chance when Sam Togwell's drive from 20 yards clipped the bar.

Mifsud had two further chances when his close-range shot from Adebola's cross was blocked by right-back Neil Austin and he then again outpaced Reid only to fire a shot high into the crowd.

The hosts finally made their superiority count when they took the lead in the 27th minute.

Colin Hawkins knocked the ball into the path of Jay Tabb and his powerful 20-yard shot ended up in the roof of the net despite keeper Nick Colgan's best efforts.

Coventry extended their lead five minutes later when Stephen Hughes teed up Marcus Hall and the left-back's centre was driven home from six yards by Mifsud.

Barnsley conceded a third goal in the 38th minute when Isaac Osbourne found Mifsud in space on the right and his cross was driven high into the net by forward partner Adebola.

Coventry didn't sit back after the break and notched a fourth goal five minutes after the break.

Adebola raced on to a long skied clearance from Hawkins and out-muscled Reid before firing home his ninth goal of the season with a ten-yard strike.

Simon Davey's men finally beat Coventry's defence in the 79th minute when Coventry-born Daniel Nardiello's corner from the left was headed over the line by Bobby Hassell.

Coventry 2 Wolves 1 - 13/03/2007

Coventry 2 Wolves 1 - 13/03/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Adam Virgo, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Colin Hawkins, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb (Khalilou Fadiga 67), Isaac Osbourne (Christopher Birchall 64), Michael Mifsud, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola
Subs not used: Robert Page, Colin Cameron, Luke Steele
Goals: Adebola 26, Ward 71

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Matthew Murray, Rob Edwards, Stephen Ward (Jay Bothroyd 73), Michael Kightly (Jamie Clapham 45), Darren Potter, Andy Keogh, Neill Collins, Gary Breen, Michael McIndoe (Mark Davies 78), Seyi George Olofinjana, Jackie McNamara
Subs not used: Jan Budtz, Jody Craddock
Booked: Rob Edwards 43, Michael Kightly 5, Jackie McNamara 14
Sent off: Jackie McNamara 45
Goals: Kightly 45

Attendance: 22099
Referee: P Walton

Teamtalk
Coventry maintained their unbeaten run under Iain Dowie and ended the six-match winning streak of 10-man Wolves with a 2-1 Ricoh Arena win.

Defender Elliott Ward, whose own goal handed Wanderers all three points in the reverse fixture at Molineux in October, avenged that 1-0 defeat with the winning strike midway through the second half.

Ward ghosted unmarked into the six-yard box before calmly steering home Stephen Hughes' corner with a side-foot volley at the far post to take City's tally to 11 points from a possible 15 under Dowie.

Earlier, Michael Kightly's goal on the stroke of half-time had cancelled out Dele Adebola's opener.

Kightly slammed the ball into the roof of the net after Andy Marshall had parried a Seyi George Olofinjana header into his path.

The goal came totally against the run of play and immediately after Wanderers had had Jackie McNamara sent off.

McNamara was booked in the 14th minute for hacking down Michael Mifsud and received his marching orders when he repeated the misdemeanour on Adebola.

Adebola had given Coventry the lead after Wanderers failed to deal with Hughes' left-wing free-kick and he pounced on the bouncing ball to poke past Matt Murray from six yards out.

A routine shot from the edge of the box from Michael Doyle was spilled by Murray before the Wolves goalkeeper extinguished the danger by smothering the loose ball.

Coventry had a strong case for a penalty waved away by referee Peter Walton when Gary Breen tripped Mifsud, but to the astonishment of most inside the Ricoh Arena the spot-kick was not awarded.

Doyle spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when he snatched at a chance from 12 yards out and screwed his shot wide.

Wolves were just gaining a foothold in the game when Adebola rocked them with his seventh goal of the season just before the half-hour and Wanderers had Murray to thank for keeping them in the game soon after as he saved from Mifsud.

Wolves created little before Kightly's goal but they did have the ball in the net 10 minutes before the break but Stephen Ward's effort was ruled out for offside.

Coventry started the second half as they began the match and went after Wanderers in an attempt to press home their numerical advantage.

Adebola had a near-post header unwittingly blocked by Neill Collins immediately after the restart before Doyle lifted a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Hughes' goalbound effort was deflected wide as Coventry continued to apply the pressure.

Dowie introduced Chris Birchall and Khalilou Fadiga midway through the second half to add extra nous to his attack with Isaac Osbourne and Jay Tabb the players to make way.

And Birchall almost made an immediate impact as he slipped the ball to Mifsud who cut infield from the left and unleashed a ferocious shot that produced another fine one-handed stop from Murray.

It looked like Doyle had put the seal on the victory when he lashed an angled shot past Murray but, just like Ward for Wolves in the first half, the Irishman had drifted into an offside position and the strike was chalked off.

CCFC
The Sky Blues made it three wins on the spin at the Ricoh Arena with a deserved victory over high-flying Wolves.

Captain Elliott Ward grabbed the decisive strike nineteen minutes from the end to stretch City's unbeaten run under new manager Iain Dowie to five and bring the visitors' impressive record of six straight wins to a shuddering halt.

Dele Adebola put the home side ahead in the 26th minute after an frantic start to the game before a dramatic turn of events on the stroke of half-time saw Wolves' Jackie McNamara sent off before Michael Kightly equalised.

Michael Mifsud replaced the injured Leon McKenzie in Dowie's only change to the side which battled to a goalless stalemate at Colchester on Saturday.

The Maltese international immediately set about making an impression when a teasing run into the box was seemingly brought to a halt by a clumsy Jackie McNamara challenge, only for referee Peter Walton to wave away strong claims for a penalty.

The Sky Blues were enjoying a sprightly start and Michael Doyle went close moments later when he skewed wide under pressure from Gary Breen after being played in behind the Wolves backline by Dele Adebola.

But their award arrived in the 26th minute as the troublesome Adebola poked past Matt Murray from four yards after the visitors allowed a deep Stephen Hughes free-kick to bounce.

City continued to dictate the play as a last ditch tackle from Breen denied Adebola a quick-fire second before 'keeper Murray blocked a Mifsud shot after the front-man had nipped to the ball ahead of Neill Collins.

Murray then held Hughes' free-kick before Isaac Osbourne flashed a 25-yarder narrowly wide of the post.

However, a dramatic two-minute spell saw the game turn on its head as McNamara was brandished a second yellow card for a foul on Osbourne.

Then, just seconds later, Kightly rammed in an equaliser from the rebound after Seyi Olofinjana's header was denied by a brilliant save from Andy Marshall.

City strived to make their extra-man advantage pay dividends at the start of the second-half but struggled to break through a stubborn Wolves resistance.

But Mifsud remained a constant menace and on the hour forced Murray to claw his powerful drive from the edge of the box around for a corner before watching a similar effort cannon off Collins.

But the game's decisive moment arrived in the 71st minute when Hughes' corner was driven home at the back-post by skipper Ward.

The industrious Doyle then had two excellent chances to put the game beyond doubt.

The first, which arrived just three minutes later, was drilled into the side-netting after being set free by substitute Khalilou Fadiga before hooking Chris Birchall's centre into the arms of Murray with the goal gaping.

Mifsud could have capped a man-of-the-match display with a goal late on but slipped after once again springing the offside trap.

Instead, City's hero came at the other end as 'keeper Marshall turned away former Coventry star Jay Bothroyd's low free-kick deep into stoppage-time.

4thegame
Coventry City secured their third home win in a row to prevent Wolves from grabbing their seventh successive victory.

Mick McCarthy's in-form side tasted defeat at their Midlands rivals when Elliott Ward grabbed the winner in the 71st minute.

Coventry dominated from the start and should have been awarded a penalty in the fourth minute when Michael Mifsud appeared to be tripped inside the box by Gary Breen, but referee Peter Walton waived away the home team's appeals.

Wolves were clearly beginning to feel the pressure as Michael Kightly and Jackie McNamara were booked for late challenges.

It was no surprise when the home team grabbed the lead in the 26th minute.

Stephen Hughes' free-kick bounced inside the area before Dele Adebola knocked the ball in from close range.

The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 45th minute when the referee showed a second yellow card to McNamara after he dragged down Isaac Osbourne.

The home fans were stunned when Wolves equalised in injury-time with their first shot on target.

Andy Marshall pulled off a diving save to deny Seyi Olofinjana's header, but the rebound was slammed into the net by Kightly.

The Sky Blues were determined not to let Wolves off the hook after the break and Matt Murray needed to be alert to tip Mifsud's 20-yard shot around the post after he had latched on to Adam Virgo's pass.

Coventry made their possession and their extra man count to retake the lead when a corner from Hughes on the right fell to Ward on the edge of the six-yard box and he slammed home his third goal of the season.

Colchester 0 v Coventry 0 - 10/03/2007

Colchester 0 v Coventry 0 - 10/03/2007
Colchester United: Karl Duguid, Chris Iwelumo, Kemal Izzet, Richard Garcia, Jamie Cureton, Kevin McLeod (Hogan Ephraim 62), Wayne Brown, Kevin Watson, Pat Baldwin, Chris Barker, Dean Gerken
Subs not used: Jamie Guy, George Elokobi, Matthew Mills, Aidan Davison

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Stephen Hughes, Elliott Ward, Isaac Osbourne, Colin Hawkins, Adam Virgo, Jay Tabb, Marcus Hall, Dele Adebola, Michael Doyle, Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 69)
Subs not used: Robert Page, Khalilou Fadiga, Luke Steele, Christopher Birchall
Booked: Jay Tabb 75, Michael Doyle 9

Attendance: 5453
Referee: Mr K Stroud

Teamtalk
Coventry remain unbeaten under Iain Dowie after a 0-0 draw with Colchester, but this was not a game either side will want to remember.

Dowie has won two and drawn two since replacing Micky Adams at the Ricoh Arena last month, while Colchester will be grateful for keeping a clean sheet after shipping five against Derby last time out, despite failing to win in their fifth successive Championship match.

Goalscoring chances could be counted on one hand in a dull first 45 minutes at Layer Road and in terms of goalmouth action the second period was not much better.

The game's highlight proved to be home goalkeeper Dean Gerken's flying save to deny Michael Hughes who had let fly from 25 yards in the second half.

Colchester defender Pat Baldwin, recalled to the starting line-up, had the best chance of the half, but blazed wide from six yards two minutes before the interval.

The Us made three changes to their starting line-up following their 5-1 defeat at Derby, with John White, Johnnie Jackson and Matthew Mills making way for Baldwin, Kevin McLeod and Chris Iwelumo.

Coventry, unchanged from the side that beat Hull last week, began with the confidence of a side unbeaten in their last three matches.

Neither side created any early openings and it was visiting midfielder Jay Tabb who had the first worthwhile shot, but his left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 10th minute drifted wide.

Colchester goalkeeper Gerken was forced to punch clear a corner in the 21st minute, but that was as busy as he got, while opposite number Andy Marshall busied himself by taking the odd free-kick.

Iwelumo flashed a volley wide from 12 yards in the 26th minute and Michael Doyle threatened to break the deadlock when he rifled a 20-yard shot over the crossbar.

Baldwin then missed a gilt-edged chance for the home side, slashing his shot from close range wide when the ball broke from a corner.

Karl Duguid tried his luck from 20 yards four minutes after the break but his right-foot shot whistled over the crossbar.

Stephen Hughes went even closer as he fired in a shot from 25 yards, but Gerken was equal to it and pushed it away at full stretch.

Hogan Ephraim replaced McLeod just after the hour, but Coventry threatened again with Leon McKenzie shooting wide from inside the box before being replaced by Michael Mifsud.

Dele Adebola headed wide from Hughes' cross with six minutes left and Coventry will feel aggrieved to have missed another chance when Hughes blasted a volley wide from close range following a corner in the closing stages.

CCFC
Coventry City have now gone four games unbeaten after securing a point courtesy of a goalless draw away against Colchester United.

It was a creditable result for Iain Dowie's men against a Colchester side who have lost only once in their last 16 home games.

The result also means that the Sky Blues are unbeaten since Dowie took over.

Iain Dowie named an unchanged side for the trip to Layer Road.

There was one amendment on the bench, with club captain Robert Page returning to the 16 at the expense of Che Bunce.

Geraint Williams' side had the first real chance of the game on six minutes when Duguid's cross found Cureton, who crossed into the danger area. However, Duguid was adjudged to have been fouled in the build-up to the chance and from the resulting free-kick, the home side won a corner.

The set-piece found Chris Iwelumo, who saw his shot blocked by Elliott Ward just in front of goal. The ball was put back into the danger area by Kemi Izzet for Cureton, but he couldn't get the better of Marcus Hall, who cleared the danger.

The Sky Blues had a chance in the 21st minute, when Leon McKenzie headed towards goal, only for Wayne Brown to head over his own crossbar.

But Colchester had an even better opportunity on 26 minutes when Izzet hooked the ball forward for Iwelumo - only for the Scot to see his first-time volley fly inches wide of the right upright.

Adebola headed into the arms of Gerken on 41 minutes, before Virgo was forced to head over his own crossbar from Cureton's cross moments later.

After both sides emerged for the second half, Iwelumo blasted over Marshall's goal two minutes after the break, before Kevin McLeod's cross sailed across the danger area, much to the relief of the Sky Blues.

Stephen Hughes produced City's best chance of the game on 55 minutes when his powerful drive was tipped over the bar by Gerken, before from the resulting corner, Tabb's shot sailed wide. There was even a penalty shout in the melee from the corner, with Brown appearing to go through the back of Hawkins.

Cureton and Duguid both had shots blocked as the Sky Blues defended resolutely, before at the other. McKenzie shot wide after turning well.

It was to be McKenzie's last contribution in the game, with the forward replaced by Michael Mifsud on 69 minutes.

Coventry pressed through Adebola and Tabb but couldn't find the killer ball before the big striker headed wide while Hughes also shot just past the target as the Sky Blues pressed.

4thegame
There had been no goalless draws in the first 17 games at Layer Road this season, but like buses two have now come along in quick succession.

Following a goalless stalemate in the previous game against visiting Burnley, there was another blank scoreline as mid-table Coventry secured a deserved point in a rather drab contest.

Sky Blues boss Ian Dowie has still not suffered a defeat in four games since his appointment, and his side have collected eight points along the way to virtually guarantee their Championship status for another season.

And they boasted the only two shots on target in the whole match. In fact, midfielder Stephen Hughes forced a great save from Dean Gerken with the best shot of the game in the 56th minute.

Promising keeper Gerken did well to fingertip Hughes' long-range shot over the bar.

Coventry were also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining when their winger, Jay Tabb, appeared to be pulled down by Karl Duguid in the box. However, referee Keith Stroud merely waved play on.

City certainly ended the game looking the more likely winners, and Colchester were restricted to mostly half-chances.

The best of these came early in the second half when winger Kevin McLeod delivered an excellent cross into the six-yard box. Striker Chris Iwelumo looked certain to score, but he failed to get the vital touch and the opportunity was lost.

Iwelumo has scored 15 goals in a very successful season both for himself and the team, and he was also the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

The Scotsman had a goalbound volley charged down by defender Elliott Ward, who had a fine game at the heart of defence and then, on 27 minutes, Iwelumo smashed in a volley that flew narrowly wide following Pat Baldwin's measured ball forward.

But Coventry keeper Andy Marshall might just as well have not turned up because the former Norwich and Ipswich star did not have a serious save to make all afternoon.

Colchester will be disappointed not to have won, but they have still only lost three games at home all season from 19 starts and remain in the top ten.

Coventry's assistant boss Tim Flowers was happy with City's point at Layer Road, saying: "That's just two goals we've conceded in four games, which is a good record.

"To keep another clean sheet was a big positive and it was a platform to build on.

"We've been on a mini-run now but I'd still like us to get a couple more wins to be assured of our safety, and I'd like to get them quickly.

"I thought that we had a couple of strong appeals for a penalty, but it wasn't to be, however we were well worth a point." Colchester boss Geraint Williams said: "We've set some high standards for ourselves which is shown in that we're disappointed to only get one point from a draw against Coventry.

"A while back it would have been considered a good point, but now it's looked on as a bad one.

"We defended solidly and we did have one great chance to score when Chris (Iwelumo) nearly tapped home a cross. A goal like that can change the whole complexion of a game.

"I felt that we needed to get more joy down our flanks because Coventry played very narrowly but we didn't really use the full width of the pitch.

"I haven't set any targets for us all season, because when you reach them, it's then very difficult to set a new target."

Coventry 2 Hull 0 - 03/03/2007

Coventry 2 Hull 0 - 03/03/2007
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Colin Hawkins, Marcus Hall, Jay Tabb (Christopher Birchall 73), Adam Virgo, Isaac Osbourne (Khalilou Fadiga 89), Elliott Ward, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 83), Stephen Hughes
Subs not used: Che Bunce, Luke Steele
Goals: Doyle(P) 21, McKenzie 34

Hull City: Boaz Myhill, Nicky Forster, David Livermore (Dean Marney 57), Dean Windass, Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Danny Coles, Damien Delaney, Ian Ashbee (John Welsh 88), Stuart Elliott, Ray Parlour (Jonathan Parkin 76)
Subs not used: Nathan Doyle, Matt Duke
Booked: Nicky Forster 59, David Livermore 20, Ian Ashbee 56

Attendance: 21079
Referee: S Tanner

Teamtalk
Michael Doyle and Leon McKenzie were on target as Coventry wrapped up a 2-0 victory over Hull before half-time at the Ricoh Arena.

Doyle scored from the penalty spot ahead of McKenzie netting his seventh Sky Blues goal of the season as the hosts stretched their unbeaten run to three games.

Coventry threatened first with just two minutes gone as Stephen Hughes fired low but wide from 20 yards out.

Four minutes later and Jay Tabb was the next to chance his arm but his long-range effort failed to trouble Tigers goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger after a Dean Windass reverse pass had set free Nicky Forster.

But in the 20th minute, referee Steve Tanner awarded a penalty to Coventry after Dave Livermore was adjudged to have brought down Hughes.

And Doyle stepped up to slot a left-footed spot-kick low and past the goalkeeper's left hand.

Ian Ashbee was soon in need of extended treatment after he sustained a head injury but returned to the fray in time to see McKenzie hook the ball over his left shoulder but also the Hull crossbar.

But McKenzie headed home an Isaac Osbourne cross from the right wing to make it 2-0 in the 34th minute.

Elliott Ward hit over the bar for Coventry with a free-kick and, at the other end, Livermore blazed over shortly before the break.

Doyle headed over a Hughes corner taken from the Coventry right in the 50th minute.

Seven minutes later and Hull boss Phil Brown made his first substitution with Livermore being replaced by Dean Marney.

Hull were on the attack as Damien Delaney found Windass close to the byline though Forster was unable to reach the cross before Marshall.

Forster was cursing his luck once more when, three minutes after the hour, his shot from left to right across the area slid marginally wide.

Michael Turner's looping header from Marney's free-kick was easy for Marshall, though the goalkeeper was extended when palming away Marney's header from Forster's left-wing centre.

And in the 71st minute Marshall's reaction save denied Windass a goal from the point-blank header which met Sam Ricketts' cross from the right.

Tabb was replaced by Chris Birchall in the 73rd minute and there was soon another change for the visitors as Jon Parkin was swapped for Ray Parlour.

With eight minutes remaining Michael Mifsud replaced McKenzie and as the contest petered out John Welsh was introduced for Ashbee and Khalilou Fadiga, making his home debut, for Osbourne.

Hughes shot over from a Doyle pass in the 90th minute when under no pressure on the edge of the Hull box.

CCFC
The Sky Blues continued their renaissance under new boss Iain Dowie with a comprehensive victory against struggling Hull City.

A penalty from Michael Doyle and a well-taken header from Leon McKenzie, his seventh goal of the season, put City firmly into the driving seat before half-time and despite some second-half pressure, City held on to claim their first league 'double' of the season.

Top scorer McKenzie was one of two changes Iain Dowie was forced into ahead of the game.

He replaced the banned Kevin Kyle, while the versatile Adam Virgo stepped-in at right-back for Andy Whing, who also sat out through suspension.

A tense start saw both sides intent on not conceding an early goal but City made the brighter openings.

Stephen Hughes skewed a low shot wide and Jay Tabb flashed a long-ranger over the bar while at the other end, goalkeeper Andy Marshall raced off his line to deny Nicky Forster a shot at goal.

But the game sprung into life in the 20th minute when Hughes was hauled down by David Livermore in the area after a marauding run.

Referee Steve Tanner didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot and with regular penalty taker Colin Cameron injured, Doyle took over the responsibilities and sent a confident strike into the bottom-right corner for his third goal of the campaign.

The Sky Blues continued to pose questions to a shaky Tigers defence and grabbed their reward thirteen minutes later when McKenzie leaped above two defenders to head Isaac Osbourne's teasing cross beyond 'keeper Boaz Myhill from four-yards.

Leon McKenzie heads home the Sky Blues' second goal

McKenzie threatened to double his tally at the close of the half when he drilled wide after shrugging off Michael Turner, while Stuart Elliott fired narrowly over for Hull.

The visitors kept City at bay after the restart with a brave block denying an Osbourne volley and began asking questions of their own on the hour when Forster dragged a low effort wide and Marshall got down well to claw away substitute Dean Marney's header.

Marshall was proving a thorn in the Tigers' side as he saved a Dean Windass header from point-blank range in the 68th minute while a timely intervention from Hughes foiled Elliott minutes later when the winger bore down on goal.

Boss Dowie threw on Chris Birchall and Michael Mifsud to reignite a tiring attack, but by that time the game had already started to peter out as the Sky Blues remain unbeaten under Iain Dowie.

4thegame
Iain Dowie made it two home wins out of two as Coventry City eased their relegation worries with victory against Hull City.

The home side had the game won inside the first half and, although the visitors did come back after the break, they never really possessed enough striking threat to make a comeback likely.

Coventry started brightly and carved out a couple of early chances. Dele Adebola produced a clever back-heel for Stephen Hughes whose shot went wide of the Hull goal.

Then, after seven minutes, the lively Jay Tabb had a sight of goal but his shot flew over the bar.

At the other end Hull were looking lively without really creating much of any note, although Coventry keeper Andy Marshall had to leave his line in a rush to deny Nicky Forster.

The game was becoming scrappier and scrappier and was badly in need of a goal.

It came at just the right time - but Hull were not happy at referee Tanner's decision.

They could hardly argue that David Livermore had not fouled Hughes but they clearly thought the offence had happened outside the area.

Their protests came to nothing and Michael Doyle slotted his third goal of the season with impressive cool.

Tabb was causing the visitors all sorts of problems down the left. Just short of the half-hour mark he beat Sam Ricketts and delivered a fine cross which Danny Coles had to head over from the goal-line.

Hull had not recovered from the first goal when they found themselves two down. They gave the ball away by their own corner flag, and when Isaac Osbourne swung in a cross, McKenzie was left unmarked and headed in from close range.

Livermore tried his best to pull his side back into the game when he fired just over before the break, but Hull never looked a real force.

The game was even scrappier after the break and Ian Ashbee went into the book for a foul on Doyle, soon to be followed by Forster for dissent.

The former Reading and Brentford man had a chance to bring his side back into the reckoning when, in the 63rd minute, he sprinted clear, only to drag his shot wide of goal.

Coventry had taken their foot off the pedal and really could have paid the price.

Only a very good save from Andy Marshall kept Dean Windass at bay in the 70th minute when the veteran looked set to score with a close-range header.

Still the home side continued to drop too deep, and when they did manage to get the ball forward, it came back far too quickly allowing Hull to rebuild.

Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie said: "It's not a bad return so far and credit to the players because it's not about me or the staff.

"They had a miserable record before so there's still bound to be some nervousness in the camp at times.

"But, once again, they've all given me everything." Tigers boss Phil Brown said: "There were some harsh words said at half-time - I can't repeat them - but there needed to be.

"We cannot give ourselves an uphill task like that. We showed character in the second half and had one of our chances gone in we might have got something, but we didn't deserve anything for that first-half performance.

"If we're going to stay in this Championship we cannot afford to give teams a start like that."