City's second-string bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Stoke at the Ricoh Arena.

Second-half goals from Ellery Cairo and substitute Kevin Kyle did the damage as an experienced Sky Blues side gained valuable match practice.

A frozen pitch at Nuneaton Borough's Liberty Way Stadium, the Sky Blues reserves' usual home, meant the venue was switched to the Ricoh.

Reserve team boss Steve Ogrizovic had the strongest squad of the season at his disposal for the visit of the Potters, with goalscorers Cairo and Kyle two of nine first-team stars who featured.

In freezing conditions, the hosts could have been ahead inside ten minutes but Julian Gray saw a low drive at the back post from a Cairo cross deflected wide before firing over from the resultant corner.

Stoke goalkeeper Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton then raced out of his goal to save at the feet of Dele Adebola while his opposite number Danny Ireland turned away a fierce drive from Richie De Laet after a quick breakaway from the visitors.

Kyle replaced Adebola at half-time to make his first appearance in a City shirt since damaging ankle ligaments in a first-team match against Norwich in November and had an immediate impact, forcing St Louis-Hamilton into a decent save with a header.

The opening goal arrived just after the hour when Gray picked out Stephen Hughes, who saw his close-range drive blocked, but Cairo was on hand to sweep home the rebound.

And Gray was the provider again less than ninety seconds later as he squared the ball for Kyle to side-foot beyond St Louis-Hamilton after being played in behind the Potters' defence by Kevin Thornton.

The Stoke 'keeper then did well to hold a low effort from Kyle while Hughes fired a free-kick into the wall.

Stoke, despite boasting an experienced forward line in former Hull City striker Jon Parkin and Frenchman Vincent Pericard, offered little attacking threat throughout.

Their best chance arrived in the dying seconds when Jamaican winger Demar Phillips' fierce drive from the edge of the area forced Ireland into a good save low down to his left.

Coventry: Ireland, Osbourne, Page, De Zeeuw (Francis, 60), Griffiths, Cairo, S Hughes, Brlecic (Simmonds, 73), Gray, Thornton, Adebola (Kyle, 46). Subs (Not Used): Hildreth, Collett (GK).

Goals: Cairo (66), Kyle (68)

Booked: Griffiths

Stoke: St Louis Hamilton, Buxton, Shotton, Broomes, Dickinson, De Laet (Hazley, 76), Wedderburn (Thorley, 46), Pulis, D Phillips, Parkin, Pericard. Subs (Not Used): Grocott, J Phillips, Ryan (GK).

Goals: None

Booked: None