The Sky Blues beat QPR by a single goal to nil with Elliott Ward's first half penalty enough to earn City a thoroughly deserved three points.
Iain Dowie received an indifferent reaction from the Sky Blues fans on his first return to Coventry, the City faithful more concerned with seeing their side collect three points after two positive displays against Preston and Sheffield United.
Chris Coleman named an unchanged starting line-up and the Sky Blues started brightly. They could have taken an early lead when a Leon McKenzie cross led to a goalmouth melee but QPR cleared the danger. Jay Tabb was shown a yellow card in the seventh minute for a cynical challenge on Lee Cook before Elliott Ward headed into the side netting from a Danny Fox corner in a lively opening to the game.
Ward soon had a chance to make amends for his penalty miss on Tuesday when a push on Tabb led to a spot-kick being awarded to the Sky Blues and the centre-back duly converted to give City a 14th minute lead, despite keeper Radek Cerny getting a strong hand to his effort.
The Sky Blues continued to control the game, having successfully stifled the visitors' main attacking threats. They were also looking well capable of extending their lead - Freddy Eastwood whipping in a delightful cross on the half hour mark, which Clinton Morrison was just inches away from converting.
With just two minutes left in the half, the R's had a great opportunity to equalize when Emmanuel Ledesma broke the offside trap and raced through on goal but thankfully Keiren Westwood raced off his line to narrow the angles and saved well.
The Sky Blues maintained the upper hand at the beginning of the second period, pinning the visitors back and on 52 minutes Gunnarsson sent a low volley inches wide of the upright from 20 yards.
QPR made their first substitution on 53, Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky replacing Ledesma and soon afterwards Dowie made an attacking switch, introducing midfielder Daniel Parejo for injured defender Peter Ramage.
As the game reached its climax, the Hoops really began to pressurise City and on 74 minutes, Dexter Blackstock came close to converting a low cross from Cook. But the Sky Blues were defending admirably, getting bodies behind the ball to frustrate their opponents.
Coleman introduced Leon Best for Eastwood with just over ten minutes remaining while Dowie made his final switch, bringing on Patrick Agyemang for Blackstock. Michael Mifsud then entered the fray for the Sky Blues, replacing Leon McKenzie.
With five left on the clock Guillaume Beuzelin came on for Jay Tabb to play a hold-up role in the middle of the park and City saw out time without any major worries to earn a thoroughly deserved free-kick and bring a tough week of fixtures to a very pleasing end.
Coventry: Westwood; Fox; Ward; Dann; Doyle; Eastwood (Best 77); Gunnarsson; McKenzie (Mifsud 80); Osbourne; Morrison; Tabb (Beuzelin 86). Subs (not used): Marshall; Hall;
Booked: Tabb (7); Doyle (42); Ward (57)
QPR: Cerny; Delaney; Stewart; Mahon; Leigertwood; Blackstock (Agyemang 77); Gorkss; Rowlands; Ramage (Parejo 56); Cook; Ledesma (Buzsaky 53). Subs (not used): Camp; Hall
Booked: Mahon (64)
Referee: D Whitestone
Attendance: 16,718 (1,782)
