COVENTRY City picked up their first three-point haul in four games at the Valley on Tuesday night after twice leading a scrappy encounter against Charlton Athletic.

The Sky Blues took a one-goal lead into the break after Robbie Simpson smashed home a close range volley six minutes before half time.

And Danny Fox got City's second with another spectacular free kick just two minutes after Deon Burton's second half spot kick drew the sides level.

Chris Coleman's side came out on top in what turned out to be an extremely scrappy first half which offered little in the way of fluid play but plenty in terms of enthusiasm as both sides seemed willing to throw in the tackles.

Charlton appeared more effective on the flanks, especially with Keith Gillespie who offered plenty of options down the right and whipped in a pair of potentially dangerous crosses.

But the only real event of the first 45 minutes was City's opener after 39 minutes.

Michael Mifsud's ambitious effort rom 30 yards was deflected into the corner for the ever-industrious Clinton Morrison to chase.

He then played it back to Fox in support who lashed in another great cross for Simpson to sneak in and smash home past Nicky Weaver on the edge of the six-yard box.

The second half was far more action packed though with the City enjoying the majority of the good play despite giving up their lead just two minutes after the restart.

Izale McLeod chased a long ball into the box and was bundled over by Fox, leaving Burton to dispatch the penalty into the top corner of Keiren Westwood's net.

The level status was shortlived though as the Sky Blues, for the second consecutive game, reinstated their lead just two minutes after losing it, Freddy Eastwood being brought down just over 30 yards away from the Charlton goal and Fox curling another exquisite free kick over the wall and into the top corner of Nicky Weaver's net off the post.

Fromthe moment City got their noses in front again they were largely untroubled by the hosts who pushed forward but lacked an edge in the final third that was not easily dealt with by the City rearguard.

Simpson followed up his first half opener with another menacing performance on the right wing, proving to be City's go-to winger with long balls he both used well and held up effectively in the later stages of the game.

He could also have doubled his goal tally on the hour, latching on to a throw from Gunnarsson, holding off two defenders with his back to goal and turning a shot just wide of Weaver's near post.

But that was as close as both of the sides got to further troubling the scoresheet as Coventry seemed content to see out the later stages of the game by holding up play in Charlton's half and the hosts failed to create any attacking play in the City half to trouble the Sky Blues who banished memories of events here at the end of last season.

Attendance: 20,427

Teams

Coventry City: Westwood, Fox, Ward, Turner, Hall, Mifsud, Gunnarsson, Tabb, Simpson, Eastwood (Best 82), Morrison
Subs: Marshall (GK), Doyle, Clarke, Wynter

Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Bailey, Hudson, Holland, Gillespie (Gray 65), Fortune, McLeod, Cranie, Bouazza, Burton (Todorov 65), McEveley (Semedo 14)
Subs: Elliott (GK), Sam