Coventry City fell to a 2-0 defeat to Burton Albion thanks to two second-half goals for the visitors.
Callum Butcher got the first capitalising from an Aaron Phillips mistake to lob over Reice Charles-Cook, while Stuart Beavon smashed his effort in from a tight angle to get the second.
James Maddison made his third start since retuning from injury, replacing Joe Cole in the starting XI. New signing Peter Ramage made his debut at centre- back as Chris Stokes reverted to left-back, with Ryan Haynes dropping to the bench. Ruben Lamerias came in for Jim O’Brien.
It was a tight affair in the opening stages with neither side being able to create any clear-cut chances, but in the 19th minute, City were inches away from taking the lead. Lamerias played a good ball through to Adam Armstrong, who cut it back superbly, but the oncoming Jacob Murphy couldn’t make contact.
The Sky Blues created another chance 10 minutes later when Maddison worked himself some space on the edge of the area before taking a right-footed shot, which looked destined for the top-right, but was saved well by Jon McLaughlin.
The Brewers had the chance themselves to take the lead only four minutes later. A short corner was played to Tom Naylor on the edge of the box in acres of space, however his following shot was saved well by Reice Charles-Cook, diving to his right.
There were a few half-chances in the last twelve minutes of the half but the teams went in level at 0-0 at the whistle. However, only three minutes into the restart, Burton took the lead. A short backpass from Aaron Phillips allowed Callum Butcher through on goal who lobbed over Charles-Cook into the top right.
The Brewers now had all the momentum and almost grabbed a second through a free-kick routine in the 56th minute. John Fleck brought down the Burton attacker earning himself his 10th yellow card of the season meaning a two-game suspension. The free-kick on the right flank was played into Stuart Beavon quickly, however the striker through on goal, hit his shot against the bar from a tight angle.
The Brewers eventually did get their second goal 15 minutes later as Beavon did net this time. The forward was played in once again down the right, firing in from a tight angle to the top right of Charles-Cook to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.
Adam Armstrong had a chance to get a goal back for City, as he twisted and turned in the box, but his shot was saved well by McLaughlin. City pressed hard in the remaining ten minutes to get back into the game with Albion opting to sit deep and hit Mowbray’s men on the counter.
City had some half-chances in the four minutes of injury time that was played out but the Sky Blues were not able to complete a comeback, thus suffering their first defeat of the season at the Ricoh.
Attendance
17,140 (1,542 Away)
Teams
Coventry City: Charles-Cook (GK), Stokes, Ramage, Ricketts, Phillips(Bigirimana 56), Vincelot, Fleck, Lameiras (Tudgay 56), Maddison (Cole 73), Murphy, Armstrong.
Subs: Burge (GK), Haynes,O'Brien,Fortune.
Burton Albion: McLaughlin (GK), Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, Mousinho (C), Beavon (Bennett 79), El-Khayati (Akins 61), Butcher (Reilly 77), McCrory, Naylor, O'Connor, Duffy.
Subs: Bywater (GK), Harness, Thiele, Palmer.