The Sky Blues have beaten Cheltenham Town 6-1 at the LCI Rail Stadium thanks to a hat-trick from Marc McNulty and picture book goals from Tom Bayliss, Jordan Shipley and Max Biamou.

City were four up at the interval after a storming first half display left the home side stunned. Mohamed Eisa did pull one back from the spot early in the second half but it was only a consolation on a day dominated by the Sky Blues.

Robins' side now head into final-day knowing that a point against Morecambe will be enough to secure a place in the play-offs.

Lee Burge and Mohamed Eisa were both named in the EA Sports EFL team of the season yesterday, and came face to face in the eighth minute. Eisa did well to break into the inside-channel before prodding the ball toward's Burge's goal, but the City 'keeper did well to acrobatically force it over the bar.

Up the other end, the Sky Blues were looking dangerous and a wily quick free-kick by Michael Doyle allowed Jordan Shipley to pick out Bayliss in the six-yard box to put City ahead.

Ten minutes later, it could have been two. McNulty did well down the right to beat his man and cross for Max Biamou, in for Jonson Clarke-Harris, but the Frenchman could not find the net.

Bayliss had scored two goals in two games, and almost made that three when he wriggled away from a challenge on the edge of the area to flick the ball up and volley it towards goal, but the ball sailed agonisingly wide.

Mark Robins' side were on top and desperate to capitalise. Doyle again played a quick set-piece out to Jack Grimmer this time, who curled a precision cross to McNulty in the area who glanced his header into the far corner to become the highest scoring Coventry player in a single season since Bobby Gould in 1967. With Mansfield losing away at Yeovil, the Sky Blues were currently on course to cement their place in the play-off places.

The City fans behind Burge's goal were treated to a stunning goal five minutes before half time. Doyle and Bayliss linked up in midfield and found Biamou wide-right before the former Sutton man crossed low to McNulty on the penalty spot who used his body to hold off the defender and leave the ball for the onrushing Shipley to blast into the net. This was turning into a masterclass.

McNulty bagged himself another before the break to make it four. Jordan Willis' long ball found the former Sheffield United man in the area to loft the ball over the 'keeper to cap off a sensational first half at Whaddon Road.

The second period started just as strong. Some more good play in midfield allowed Shipley to volley from range but Scott Flinders was wise to it.

Cheltenham were given a golden chance to pull one back ten minutes after the break. Burge arrived late to challenge Eisa at his feet and brought the Sudanese forward down just inside the area, earning himself a yellow card in the process. Eisa picked himself up to convert.

Cheltenham's goal did not stop the onslaught. McNulty's dummy left half of the Robins defence on the ground before laying to ball back to Grimmer to cross to Biamou who buried an outstanding bicycle kick into the corner.

Five minutes later and it was six. McNulty burst into the area and wrapped his foot around the ball to beat the 'keeper and find the corner.

City now need a point at the Ricoh on Saturday to ensure a place in the play-offs. 

Attendance: 5,007 (1,541 away)

Goals: Bayliss (12'), McNulty (27'), Shipley (38'), McNulty (42'), Eisa (58'), Biamou (74'), McNulty (78

Yellows: Chatzitheodroridis, Doyle, Pell, Stokes.

Coventry City XI: Burge (GK), Grimmer, Willis, Davies, Stokes, Bayliss (Reid [77'])., Kelly, Doyle (C), Shipley, Biamou (Clarke-Harris [82']), McNulty (Ponticelli [79']).

Subs: O'Brien (GK), Hyam, Haynes, Barrett.

Cheltenham XI: Flinders (GK), Atangana, Pell, Wright, Winchester (C), Boyle, Sellars (Odelusi [45']), Eisa, Morrell, Rodon (Grimes [45']), Chatzitherodoridis.

Subs: Lovett (GK), Bower, Andrews, Lloyd, Cranston.