The Sky Blues battled to their first goalless draw of the season as life after Iain Dowie began in uninspiring fashion at the Ricoh Arena.

In a game of few chances, City went closest in the first-half when Michael Mifsud forced Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman into a good save.

The visitors created the better opportunities after the break but excellent saves from Andy Marshall denied Paul Parry.

Marshall was one of five changes to the side by beaten 1-0 at Preston on Saturday as caretaker bosses Frank Bunn and John Harbin reshuffled the back four.

Scott Dann made his first start for City at centre-back, Danny Fox returned at left-back while Michael Hughes and Mifsud replaced Stephen Hughes and Robbie Simpson respectively.

A tentative start saw neither team threaten early on, although the Sky Blues had decent claims for a penalty turned down when Leon Best's flick appeared to hit the arm of Tony Capaldi inside the area.

Their first real chance of the game arrived midway through the first-half when a low drive from Mifsud from the edge of the area was turned around the post by the Bluebirds' on loan Blackburn goalkeeper Peter Enckelman.

At the other end, Andy Marshall on hand to keep out an effort from Paul Parry but it was City who continued to pose the more dangerous attacking threat with a fierce free-kick from Danny Fox flying narrowly wide of the target.

However, Cardiff should have taken the lead with the second half just thirty seconds old as Marshall parried Peter Whittingham's drive before a superb last ditch block from Isaac Osbourne denied Parry from the rebound.

Parry then sent a speculative low effort flashing wide from the edge of the area before Marshall did well to beat away a swerving shot from the Welshman from a similar position.

City were struggling to recapture their first-half incisiveness on the break and bar a dangerous cross from Julian Gray which was nicked off the head of Best at the back post by Glenn Loovens, they failed to test Enckelman.

Despite throwing on Robbie Simpson for a largely ineffective Mifsud in search of a winner, Marshall remained the busier keeper, saving from Parry again before standing firm to keep out a header from substitute Steven Thompson.

The home side finally forced their first shot on target in the second period with 15 minutes left when Simpson's deflected shot was comfortably saved by Enckelman.

And their second followed moments later, as Best was thwarted by a timely block from Roger Johnson after finding space just inside the area.

But the elusive goal never looked likely to arrive as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.

Coventry City: Marshall; Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox; Tabb (Andrews, 80), M Hughes, Doyle (c), Gray (Davis, 67); Mifsud (Simpson, 59), Best. Subs: Konstantopoulos (GK), Hall.

Booked: Tabb, Best

Cardiff City: Enckelman; McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi; Ramsey, Rae (c), Ledley (McPhail, 64), Whittingham (Brown, 88); Parry, Hasselbaink (Thompson, 77). Subs: Oakes (GK), Purse, Thompson.

Booked: Loovens, Hasselbaink