ANOTHER classy strike from David Bell gave City a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Bell has developed a habit for scoring wonder goals, and his late long range chip made the difference in an entertaining clash at Selhurst Park which saw the Sky Blues pick up their first three-point haul on the road since December.
Chris Coleman, who received a hero's welcome from the home support, made three changes to the side that lost at Newcastle, with Jon Stead, Aron Gunnarsson and James McPake coming in for Freddy Eastwood, Gary Deegan and suspended Leon Barnett.
Palace kicked off but City soon had possession. Carl Baker looked threatening in the opening minutes, first firing a low shot into the arms of Julian Speroni and then twisting his marker inside-out to put a cross into the box.
Stead was also showing good signs, and one knock down led to an Gunnarsson effort - but the shot went high over the bar.
Stead's ball winning skills helped to set-up several half chances - twice he crossed in the area but was Speroni gather the ball, but he went closer in the 23rd minute when a ball towards Michael McIndoe was turned towards goal but blocked for a corner.
Despite the Sky Blues dominance, Palace had the best chance to take the lead when Darren Ambrose drifted past two City defenders and fired a low shot towards goal, which bounced off Westwood and trickled towards goal - but just went wide of the post.
City continued to have the best of the possession and went close in the 41st minute after Baker robbed the ball from a Palace area and shot. The ball hit a Palace player and headed towards McIndoe yards from an open goal, but it was just out of reach and the chance passed.
At the other end, Ambrose went close again. A mix-up in defence saw Westwood pulled out of position and the midfielder's shot was goal bound - only for Richard Wood to clear.
It continued to be end to end and Stead went close for the Sky Blues. A McIndoe cross was flicked towards the back post by Morrison and the on-loan striker smashed a shot towards the near post, only for Speroni to block well for a corner.
After the break, play was delayed when Alan Lee slid into Westwood trying to get the ball. Westwood received treatment before play resumed.
The game continued to flow, but with more half chances than real goal scoring opportunities. Palace's danger man, Ambrose, twice had free-kick opportunities from the range. The first, from 25-yards, went just over the bar - the second, from 35-yards, was a rocket but once again too high.
At the other end, City were nearly gifted an easy chance when a Speroni miskick fell to Sammy Clingan in the middle of the park and he played McIndoe down the left - but the Scot's cross went out of play.
City's passing moves continued to trouble Palace and they were unlucky not to get more from a 69th minute move. Baker's pass sent McIndoe racing past Matt Lawrence in the area, but his low pass to Stead was just behind him - Stead claimed a foul, but the referee waved away his protest.
Coleman made his first change a minute later, bringing on Bell for McIndoe.
Gunnarsson had a golden opportunity in the 74th minute when a Stephen Wright long ball was flicked on by Morrison to send him one-on-one, but the Icelandic international's effort was straight at the keeper.
At the other end, Westwood had to be at his best to block a shot from Nick Carle and the City defence did well to block the follow-up effort.
Then, a great piece of football from Bell and Stead won City the game. The pair played a lovely one-two to send Bell racing through on goal. Speroni raced out but changed his mind and retreated, but Bell sent a delicate chip over his head and into the net, with some help from the inside of the post.
It could have been 2-0 minutes later when Stead raced through towards goal from the half-way line, but just as he went to shoot, Claude Davis made a great recovering challenge.
Four minutes were added on, but City held strong to take all three points.
