The Sky Blues are beaten 2-1 by Ipswich with the visitors scoring twice in the second half through Jon Macken and Alan Lee before a late consolation from Michael Doyle.
Micky Adams made one change with Andy Marshall returning in goal for Luke Steele, who sustained a gash to his knee against Luton Town on Saturday. There was no place in the starting eleven for Robert Page, available after suspension, as his wife has gone into labour with their third child. As a result Michael Doyle wore the skipper's armband for the second match in succession.
City were in need of a positive result following two consecutive defeats and created a chance within the first 60 seconds thanks to a bustling run from former Norwich man Leon McKenzie, who squared for Colin Cameron on the edge of the box although he sliced his effort wide.
The Sky Blues were caught napping not long afterwards as Jon Macken went on a weaving run into the City penalty area without even being challenged but thankfully he also failed to hit the target.
With 20 minutes played Ipswich striker Alan Lee went down in the penalty area following a challenge from Elliott Ward, but the referee booked the former Cardiff player for diving.
The match was flowing nicely from end to end and City really should have been ahead in the 22nd minute. More good work from McKenzie down the left flank presented Cameron with a gilt-edged opportunity, but he sidefooted wide from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Jim Magilton made a substitution before half time, taking off Dan Harding, who had suffered a blow to the head early in the game, and replacing him with Matt Richards.
After a spell where neither side created a huge number of openings, City stamped their authority on the tie inn the final five of the first half. Stephen Hughes tested Ipswich keeper Lewis Price with a well struck shot from 25 yards before a McKenzie chip went just wide of the far post.
The visitors came out brightly at the start of the second period and Andy Marshall did well to get down to a deflected shot from Owen Garvan and fingertip it around the post.
But there was nothing the City shot stopper could do to prevent Ipswich taking the lead on the hour mark when Jon Macken stabbed home from virtually on the goalline with the Sky Blues unable to clear the ball at a corner.
Micky Adams had a double switch lined up before the goal and stuck to his guns despite going a goal behind, introducing Kevin Kyle and Chris Birchall for Adebola and Cameron, with Marcus Hall soon coming on in place of Clive Clarke.
McKenzie came close to bringing City level in the 68th minute but Price did well to touch his lofted effort onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.
The Sky Blues were looking increasingly dangerous on the attack and a delightful cross from Birchall nearly presented Kyle with a close range opportunity but Price was quick to smother the Scot's effort.
But City were not really creating enough for a home side trailing by a goal to nil and with five minutes left on the clock Ipswich made it 2-0 with another soft goal from Coventry's point-of-view. The Tractor Boys worked the ball into a wide area and Alan Lee was left unmarked to nod the ball past a helpless Marshall.
Michael Doyle gave the Sky Blues a glimmer of hope with a goal in the 90th minute - smashing a low shot past Price from the edge of the box after McKenzie's square ball was cleared to him.
Despite some late pressure - with McKenzie forcing a great save from Price - it was too little, too late for City and the fans will be demanding more next time out at the Ricoh against Southend on Saturday.
Coventry City: Marshall; Ward; Hughes; Doyle; Adebola (Kyle 62); John; McKenzie; Bischoff; Cameron (Birchall 62); Duffy; Clarke (Hall 67). Subs (not used): Osbourne; Virgo
Ipswich Town: Price; De Vos; Bruce; Naylor; Garvan; Legwinski; Williams; Lee; Harding (Richards 35); Macken (Clarke 79); Roberts. Subs (not used): Supple; Haynes; Walton
Booked: Legwinski (16); Lee (19)
Referee: Mr C Oliver
Attendance: 22,154 (1,631)
