Jim O'Brien's first-half strike was enough to earn City a crucial three points in the League One relegation battle...
Coventry City were 1-0 victors in the crucial relegation battle in League One against Colchester United at the Ricoh Arena.
A first-half goal from skipper Jim O'Brien was enough for the Sky Blues after they squandered a hatful of chances to make the win more comfortable.
The game didn't start in the manner of a relegation six-pointer as City strolled the ball around nicely against the U's who kept things nice and compact early on, provoking the Sky Blues to try their luck from distance without really threatening goalkeeper Sam Walker.
But the hosts got the opener on 35 minutes from a well worked move inside the box, as Chris Stokes got free on the byline and slid an inviting ball to O'Brien, who hit a beautiful finish while off balance into the bottom right corner from 12-yards.
Tony Mowbray's men were in total control of the first-half and almost had a second just before the break, when O'Brien crossed for Nick Proschwitz who headed into the side netting at the near-post.
But Colchester started the second-half a completely different side and George Moncur looked certain to equalise as he cut inside and curled an effort towards the bottom left corner but Lee Burge made a great save to keep the Sky Blues in front.
Burge was forced into action once more just a minute later as Gavin Massey got the ball on the left-hand side inside the area and hit a firm right-footed effort which the stopper did very well again to claw around the post.
But City should have had a second when Adam Barton's wonderful ball released Proschwitz and he took it round the 'keeper in the area, but from a slight angle he hit the foot of the post.
James Maddison came on Proschwitz shortly after that and City missed another glorious chance when Maddison and Stokes combined on the left and he teed up Frank Nouble inside the box who smashed an effort well over when unmarked.
Maddison, who impressed when he came on, went so close to a second after a wonderful chop gave him half a yard in the area and he smashed a left-footed effort against the bar.
But the points were City's after five minutes of added time and the victory was the Sky Blues' first at home since the 2-1 win over MK Dons back in February.
Teams
Coventry City: Burge, Willis, Pennington, Johnson, Stokes, Ward, Fleck, Barton (Phillips 72), O'Brien (Odelusi 77), Proschwitz (Maddison 67), Nouble.
Subs: Charles-Cook, Martin, C.Thomas, Jackson.
Colchester United: Walker, Wynter (Briggs 67), Khumald, Gilbey (C), Eastman, Massey, Moncur, Murphy, Brindley, Lapslie (Szmodics 67), Porter (Healey 76).
Subs: Lewington, Bonne, Sembie-Ferris, Harney.
Referee: D Webb
Yellow cards: Johnson
Attendance: 8,933
Attendance: 8,933