Coventry are defeated for the first time at the Ricoh Arena, losing 2-0 to Hull City with both the goals coming from John Welsh.
City were well below par in the first half and deserved to trail by a goal to nil - Welsh netted in the 27th minute with a deflected shot.
Coventry were much improved after the interval but were guilty of wasting a number of gilt-edged opportunities and Hull made them pay when Welsh netted his second, moments after the visitors had been reduced to ten men when Mark Lynch collected his second booking of the game.
Micky Adams made four changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Tuesday night with Stephen Bywater, Richard Duffy, Dele Adebola and James Scowcroft all returning to the starting line-up.
The changes saw Clayton Ince, Andy Morrell and Isaac Osbourne all dropping to the bench with defender Andy Whing missing out on the 16.
Paul Watson and Andy Impey - who both made their first starts for the Club at Selhurst Park - lined-up for their home debuts.
In the third minute City should have been ahead. Robert Page made a thunderous sliding challenge to win possession and when Claus Jorgensen played Dele Adebola through the powerful forward took one touch before firing a left-footed shot just wide. A minute later, a 25-yard grass cutter from Michael Doyle slipped through Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill's fingertips but dribbled just wide of the target as the home team stamped their authority on the match.
Adebola was wreaking havoc in the Tigers rearguard in the early stages, putting them under intense pressure whenever a ball was played through or over the defence.
Having withstood the early storm, the visitors came back into it and after Bywater made one stunning save from Chris Brown, Hull had the lead in the 17th minute when a John Welsh cross-cum shot went in at the far corner after seemingly taking a deflection off Duffy. In the 27th minute Brown was inches away from making it 2-0 when he connected with a low cross at the far post but his effort went just wide.
City had lost their shape and were clearly shell-shocked from the goal, while Hull enjoyed prolonged periods of possession and created some good opportunities to extend their lead. On the half hour mark, Brown sent an overhead kick narrowly over the crossbar, while Craig Fagan then gave Impey and Page the runaround and came close to doubling the lead.
Despite being on the back foot for long spells, City created a golden opportunity to get themselves on level terms eight minutes before the interval. James Scowcrcoft picked Gary McSheffrey out inside the six-yard box with a square ball and somehow Myhill managed to smother the shot and keep it out. McSheffrey then forced Myhill into another smart stop as City ended the half as they had started it, on a high, but with nothing to show for their efforts.
Coventry continued that momentum at the start of the second period, keeping the ball well but the most important thing - an equalising goal - continued to evade them.
In the 55th minute a Dele Adebola header was cleared off the line as City turned up the pressure and got the home support on its feet.
With the vital goal not coming Micky Adams made a double switch just after the hour mark bringing on Willo Flood and Andy Morrell for Michael Doyle and Claus Jorgensen.
Flood's introduction made an instant impact as he provided a pinpoint cross for Adebola but his powerful header rebounded off the woodwork and to safety. McSheffrey then provided for the City hitman but this time Adebola's downward header was well saved by Myhill.
Scowcroft then joined in on the act of missing sitters when he fired over after McSheffrey had pulled the ball back from the byline, when it seemed easier to hit the target.
With 20 minutes left on the clock Hull were reduced to ten men when Mark Lynch was given his marching orders for a second yellow. The former Manchester United full back brought down Willo Flood when he was in full flight and from the resulting free-kick Watson tested Myhill with a well-placed free kick which was palmed away to safety.
In the 73rd minute, City were made to pay for their string of missed chances when Hull created their first opportunity of the half and put it away. Welsh spotted Bywater slightly off his line and produced a delightful chip to make it 2-0.
Coventry however continued to waste opportunities - in the 78th minute McSheffrey headed over from close range when Scowcroft was in a far better position just behind him.
With four minutes left on the clock young winger Liam Davis was awarded his senior debut as he replaced Gary McSheffrey but there was no surprise ending to the tie which has to go down as a major disappointment for the Sky Blues.
Coventry: Bywater; Page; Hughes; Duffy; Doyle (Morrell 63); Adebola; McSheffrey (Davis 86); Scowcroft; Jorgensen (Flood 63); Watson; Impey.
Subs (not used): Ince; Osbourne;
Hull: Myhill; Lynch; Cort; Barmby (Elliott 69); Woodhouse; Edge; Delaney; Welsh; Brown (Joseph 73); Fagan; France.
Booked: Lynch (35 & 70)
Subs (not used): Duke; Burgess; Green.
Referee: I G Williamson
Attendance: 21,161
