Mark Robins says his side have to be stronger mentally after Mikael Mandron’s late goal sunk City to their third consecutive defeat in SkyBet League Two.
"This is that stage of the season where we have to see games out," said Robins.
"When we were in the ascendency and we looked like we were going to go on and win the game. I was pleased with that.
“We have to defend properly at the other end though, and we allowed a cross at the other end get into the box and we allowed them to get first contact.
“We were weak mentally and we did not react. I am really disappointed.”
The Sky Blues were forced to make five changes on Saturday and were forced to make another three tonight as the Sky Blues’ injury list continues to grow.
“We have got players missing, that is not an excuse, it is what it is.
“Then we have got players making silly mistakes. Ridiculous mistakes.
“We do not play like that. The players know exactly how we play. The second half we did play how we know. They were on the back foot, but we did not stick the knife in and finish them off.
“I do not think they deserved to win that game. In the second half we were the better team.
“We were so close to punishing them but instead we pay the price.”
Tom Bayliss did draw Coventry level midway through the second half with his second goal in Sky Blue when he fired home a rebound from a Jordan Shipley effort, but it was not enough to earn City a point.
“I am pleased for Tom because he has had a tough day and he has a tough one on Saturday but he got himself a goal.
“Confidence is short in one of two of them and I think they are feeling sorry for themselves. I do not care. They need to come out and give their everything for the shirt.”
He added: “At this moment in time we need to hang in there. We have the cup game on Saturday and then we get back into it because then the real time starts.
“We have Wycombe, Mansfield and Lincoln in a week. That is the time that we need to be picking points up. It is a disappointing way to head into the cup game but we get a little break now from the league.”