TEN-MAN Coventry City surrendered a first half lead as Derby ended their run of three straight defeats with a maximum points haul at Pride Park.

Leon Best gave the Sky Blues a superb start with his third minute opener but a Rob Hulse double inside the first 15 minutes of the second half was enough to win the game for Nigel Clough's side with Coventry youngster Jordan Clarke's second half red card adding to a disappointing night for City.

As bad a start as the Sky Blues had against Reading at the weekend, it was a case of roles reversed when Best fired Chris Coleman's side ahead after just three minutes.

Freddy Eastwood's cross was punched clear by former Coventry loan 'keeper Stephen Bywater but only went as far as the Republic of Ireland international who half-volleyed into the far bottom the corner to give the Sky Blues the lead.

Derby went close to levelling after eight and nine minutes respectively, first former City defender Dean Leacock whipping a shot across goal and wide after Coventry failed to clear their lines and then striker Rob Hulse shooting on the turn from 15 yards out but his effort going the same way.

Best nearly doubled his tally on 22 minutes when his shot from inside the edge of the penalty area took a deflection and rolled across the six-yard area.

Rams left winger Gary Teale then pulled a shot wide eight minutes before the break after cutting inside young right-back Jordan Clarke.

And Stephen Pearson was also not too far away with his chest and half volley a minute before half time.

But Paul Dickov had the best chance of the half to level for the visitors just before the half time whistle.

Hulse took a ball 30 yards out and appeared to glide through the Coventry back line and cut back for Dickov who then managed to sky his shot over the bar from just six yards out when it would have been easier to score.

The hosts did not have to wait long for the equaliser though when Hulse finally put the ball in the back of the net three minutes after the break.

Teale dropped a ball into space in the Coventry area for Hulse to chest down and poke past Konstantopoulos.

Teale then threatened to put the hosts ahead just before the hour after twisting and turning Clarke before firing across the goal and wide.

Hulse got his second of the night just a minute after the hour though after Dickov chased an almost lost cause cross from Teale and cutting back for Hulse from the goalline for the striker to fire low first past Konstantopoulos inside his near post and collect his fourth goal in his last three games against City.

Things got worse for the Sky Blues a minute later when Clarke was adjudged to have fouled Robbie Savage to earn himself a second yellow card and his marching orders.

Eastwood had a chance to pull it level for Coventry on 69 minutes, rising above everyone to meet substitute Michael McIndoe's corner delivery but glancing his header wide of the far post.

The Rams then won a fortunate penalty decision when substitute City full-back Chris Hussey was ruled to have fouled Derby replacement Lee Croft on the edge of the six-yard area.

Hulse's spot kick and chance for a hat-trick though played second fiddle to an excellent save from Konstantopoulos who dived low to his left to push the shot away.

The Sky Blues then battered on Derby's door for five minutes of added time but could not find the final touch which may have brought them a point.

Attendance: 26,511 (681 away)

Teams

Coventry City: Konstantopoulos, Clarke, Ward, Barnett, van Aanholt (Hussey 66), Cork (McIndoe 66), Gunnarsson, Osbourne, Eastwood (Bell 75), Morrison, Best
Subs: Ireland (GK), Madine, Grandison, Jeffers

Derby County: Bywater, Green (Livermore 87), Leacock (Addison 77), Savage, Hulse, Teale, Barker, Pearson, Moxey, Dickov (Croft 79), Stoor
Subs: Atkins (GK), Connolly, McEveley, Livermore, Hughes