The Sky Blues have suffered their first League defeat of the season at the hands of Newport County at the Ricoh Arena.
Reece Cole’s speculative effort from range was the difference between the two sides in a closely fought contest in Sky Bet League Two.
Tony Andreu was given his home debut and came close to levelling in the second half but could not do enough to turn the game back in Coventry’s favour.
The first half was certainly a game of few chances. Jodi Jones’ burst into the area would be the most notable of the early period but the 19-year-old could not get his shot away.
It took 25 minutes for either side to come close to opening the scoring. Mark O’Brien broke free down the right-hand side and fired an effort low into the six-yard box but Liam O’Brien was on hand to hook it away with his feet.
The Sky Blues ended what a was a sloppy first half the stronger. Jack Grimmer’s drive into the area won City a corner that resulted in a Peter Vincenti chance at the far post but the former Rochdale man could only head down into the ground and wide.
There was little change to the games tempo after the break, before Newport snatched the opener unexpectedly. A speculative Reece Cole effort from range bobbled over O'Brien and into the empty net. The visitors had pulled a surprise lead.
Tony Andreu was given his home debut just after the hour mark and would have made an instant impact in Sky Blue if it wasn’t for a stunning reflex save from Joe Day. The Frenchman chopped back inside his defender and curled his shot through a crowd, heading for the far corner but Day was able to get a strong right hand behind it and keep it out.
Exiles ‘keeper Day was called upon again late on to keep the ball out of the Newport. Jones twisted and turned before his deflected cross looped up and over everyone in the area except for Day who palmed it over the ball.
Attendance: 8,745 (908)
Yellow: Reynolds, White.
Teams:
Coventry City XI: O'Brien (GK), Grimmer, Willis (Biamou 78'), McDonald, Stokes, Doyle (C), Kelly (Stevenson 60'), Vincenti, McNulty, Jones, Beavon (Andreu 60').
Coventry City Subs: Burge (GK), Hyam, Pearson, Nazon.
Newport County XI: Day (GK), Pipe, Labadie (C), White, Willmott, Dolan, Nouble, Cole (Bennett 68'), O'Brien, Demetriou, Quigley (Reynolds 68').
Newport County Subs: Bittner (GK), Butler, Tozer, McCoulsky, Martin.