The Sky Blues suffered defeat to play-off rivals Lincoln City at the Ricoh Arena in League Two action.
Lincoln took the lead in the first minute through Matt Rhead, but Tom Bayliss was able to pul City level after 16 minutes.
The Imps regained the lead through Oliver Palmer, but a minute later Jordan Shipley equalised. However, Palmer scored just before half-time to make it 2-3.
As City pushed for an equaliser they were caught out by Lee Frecklington who made it 2-4 midway through the second half and secure the three points for the visitors.
Lincoln made the perfect start when they took the lead after just 55 seconds on the clock. A long ball up top was knocked down for Matt Rhead who smashed a half volley into the top corner to make it 0-1.
It was Rhead who was involved again with the Imps second chance of the game, as the striker looked to lift the ball over Lee Burge's head, but the 'keeper saved comfortably.
The Striker was on the end of a header after 11 minutes, after he headed down Scott Wharton's cross, but he couldn't find the target.
Mark Robins side were pressing for an equaliser and it was Marc McNulty who looked to create something down the right as he cut inside, but his effort was blocked by Michael Bostwick.
However, moments later and City were level after some superb work down the right by Jonson Clarke-Harris. The striker found the on running Tom Bayliss who slotted past Ryan Allsop with a first time effort to make it 1-1.
City were back on the attack almost immediately and it was McNulty again who was causing the visitors trouble. This time he cut inside and skipped past one, two, three and then looked for the bottom corner, but Allsop was able to save.
Coventry were growing into the game and they were almost in front after 30 minutes when some good work down the right set Liam Kelly free on goal, but his shot was blocked.
With 36 minutes gone, Jordan Shipley whipped in a free-kick from around 35 yards and he found the head of Rod McDonald, but he headed over.
Two minutes later and it was the Imps who lead again, this time Oliver Palmer slotted past Lee Burge to give the visitors the 2-1 lead.
However, it took the Sky Blues a matter of seconds to react and they were back level. Good work from Bayliss down the right ended with the midfielder finding Shipley, who took a touch, turned his man and placed it past Allsop for 2-2.
With a minute left on the clock before half-time, Lincoln were in front again and it was Palmer again who captialised a scramble inside the six yard box, to make it 3-2 in the last bit of action in the half.
After the break, there were few chances to speak of in the opening ten minutes, with the first opportunity coming to City, which saw Jordan Shipley have a shot blocked inside the area.
Next up was Bayliss who was looking for his second, however his curling effort from outside of the box went over the head of Allsop.
The Imps extended their lead in the 68th minute, when Lee Frecklington was able to get on the end of a ball into the box and beat Burge.
Matt Rhead had a chance for the visitors with a header inside the box, but it was cleared off the line by Jack Grimmer.
City then looked to find a goal and it was substitute Max Biamou who came close with a header which was superbly saved by Allsop on the line.
From the resulting corner it was another substitute, this time Jordan Ponticelli who brought the ball down and tried to fire past Allsop, but his effort went over.
Jordan Ponticelli was involved again minutes later, as he almost found one back for City, but he couldn't finish a cut back from Liam Kelly.
After seven minutes were added on, the Sky Blues continued to push and it was Grimmer who tried to fire one in from just inside the box, but his effort was blocked.
Goals: Matt Rhead (1'), Tom Bayliss (16'), Oliver Palmer (38', 44'), Jordan Shipley (39'), Lee Frecklington (68')
Attendnace: 13,115 (3,324)
Yellows: Jonson Clarke-Harris (42'), Matt Green (63'), Elliot Whitehouse (90')
Sky Blues Xl: Burge (GK), Grimmer, Willis, McDonald, Haynes, Shipley (76' Ponticelli), Doyle, Kelly, Bayliss, Clarke-Harris (65' Biamou), McNulty.
Subs: O'Brien (GK), Stokes, Davies, Reid, Barrett, Biamou, Ponticelli.
Lincoln City Xl: Allsop (GK), Eardley, Bostwick, Wharton, Waterfall, Palmer, Frecklington (78' Whitehouse), Woodyard, Wilson, Rhead (83' Williams), Green (64' Anderson).
Subs: Farman (GK), Whitehouse, Long, Williams, Pett, Stewart, Anderson.