Sky Blues topple table toppers Orieny with superb performance at Sixfields
Coventry City brought thrmselves to the cusp of the top half of the table after ending table toppers Leyton Orient's 12-game unbeaten run with a masterful performance at Sixfields.
Carl Baker's superb opener paved the way for a simply stunning second from Franck Moussa and Leon Clarke's ninth of the season as City lifted themselves to 14th in the League One table.
Sky Blues boss Steven Pressley stuck with the same side that picked up a point against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday and his decision not to tinker with his side paid off in the early stages of the game.
City pressed the game with intent and made the more dangerous skirmishes into Orient half although none resulted in a shot on goal.
It was a breakaway that resulted in their superb opener after ten minutes though when John Fleck drove through the heart of the midfield and spread the ball out wide to Baker who cut inside from the right before driving an effort from more than 20 yards out which gave Jamie Jones no chance at his near post.
There was nearly a second seven minutes later when a flicked on header from Leon Clarke picked out Calllum Wilson who ran at Orient skipper Nathan Clarke before shooting at goal, Jones this time making a stop with his legs.
Wilson forced another save out of Jones on 24 minutes when the striker took the ball around the edge of the area before shooting from an acute angle with Jones trying to clutch the effort to his chest but spilling the ball behind.
With the exception of the occasional venture into City's half, it was all Sky Blues for the first half hour and Baker nearly added a second of his own on 32 minutes when he received the ball 25 yards out, drifted slightly to the left and then fired from the edge of the area only for his effort to rise just over the bar.
City came flying out of the traps in the second half as well, showing no signs of letting up the pace when Leon Clarke forced another solid save out of Jones just seconds after the restart.
Blair Adams pressed high up the pitch and played Clarke in on the overlap, the striker firing from a tight angle eight yards out and Jones parrying the ball across his goal.
Two minutes later it was Wilson with another great chance after being put through by Clarke just as he crossed the halfway line, Wilson covering ground at pace before again shooting at Jones' legs.
Two minutes before the hour though it looked as though Orient would grab a leveller from the spot against the run of play when referee David Webb penalised Jordan Clarke for a challenge on Shaun Batt in the area.
David Mooney stepped up to take the spot kick but Joe Murphy guessed the right way and dived to his right to deny the visitors their equaliser.
No sooner had Murphy made the save though City nearly grabbed another themselves as the 'keeper wasted no time in getting the ball forward to Moussa who fired from just outside the area but pulled his effort just wide.
Moussa only had to wait until six minutes after the hour to grab his goal though and it came in simply stunning fashion, the midfielder gradually pressing into the area and rather than go around Scott Cuthert his simply lifted a chip over his marker and Jones who was off his line before seeing his finish drop gracefully underneath the bar and in.
City fans were then in wonderland ten minutes later when Leon Clarke put the result all but beyond doubt.
Carl Baker sent Callum Wilson chasing a long ball to the corner when he won a free kick off Elliot Omozusi. Baker then floated the free kick to the back post where Clarke was waiting with a downward header to net his ninth goal of the season.
Orient managed to grab a late consolation goal two minutes into the four minutes of added time but it did little to rain on the Sky Blues parade as they saw out the remaining moments to cap a memorable performance.
Attendance: 2,386 (758 away)
Teams
Coventry City: Murphy, Willis, Webster, J Clarke, Adams, Baker (c) (Garner 86), Moussa (Barton 82), Fleck, Thomas, L Clarke, Wilson (Manset 90)
Subs: Burge (GK), Phillips, Haynes, Rankin
Leyton Orient: Jones, Omozusi (Sawyer 82), Vincelot, Cuthbert, Baudry, Cox, James, Mooney (Lasimant 75), Odubajo, Batt (Stockley 68), Clarke (c)
Subs: Larkins (GK), Gorman, Bartley, Sutherland