The Sky Blues have started 2018 by beating Chesterf
Marc McNulty started new year the same way he ended the old one, by securing victory for City again allowing them to climb into the automatic promotion places.
The opening goal came after just thirteen minutes. McNulty won the ball in Chesterfield's final third and was allowed to turn and place his finish around Jake Eastwood to hand City an early lead.
The Spirites almost found a reply straight away. Andy Kellet was lively in midfield and cut inside to fire a shot hard to Lee Burge's left, which the City 'keeper parried far enough away so that Krystian Dennis could not put away the rebound.
Chris Stokes has already rattled the crossbar once this season, and did the same again midway throught he second half. The left-back raced onto a bouncing lose ball and fired his dipping effort beat Eastwoood but no the woodwork.
The introduction of Chris O'Grady for Chesterfield helped to give them more power in attack and they came close to levelling with 25 minutes to go. Jordan Willis' clearance only reached as far as Kellet on the edge of the area but with the goal gaping he curled his effort wide of the far post.
McNulty ended 2017 with seven goals in eight games, and had a golden opportunity to start the new year with a brace when Tom Bayliss slippped him in on goal but the former Pompey man fired his effort too close to Eastwod, forcing a save.
With ten minutes to go Chesterfield were down to ten. Scott Wiseman was booked with half an hour to go for pushing Tom Bayliss off the ball and saw red just fifteen minutes later, for a late foul on Jordan Ponticelli.
Tom Davies was excellent on Saturday when he came in for the injured Rod McDonald, and had the chance the seal in victory in the 86th minute. The defender climbed highest in the area but could not keep his header down.
Goals: McNulty 14',
Yellows: Dennis 45', Bayliss 60', Wiseman 60' & 80'.
Reds: Wiseman 80'
Attendance: 7,402 (460 away).
Coventry City XI: Burge, Grimmer, Willis, Davies, Stokes, Dev. Kelly-Evans, Bayliss, Doyle (C), Shipley (Haynes 78'), McNulty, Biamou (Ponticelli 65').
Subs: O'Brien (GK), Hyam, Di. Kelly-Evans, Maycock, Stevenson, Ponticelli.
Chesterfield XI: Eastwood (GK), Binnom-Williams, Hird (McGuire 45'), Wiseman, Dennis (De Girolamo 73'), Rowley, Dimaio (O'Grady 65'), Kellett, Reed, McCourt, Weir (C).
Subs: Parkin (GK), Mitchell, , German, Ofuegbo.