The Sky Blues' trip to Oakwell ended in a 1-0 defeat to Markus Schopp's Barnsley.
Sky Blues stopper Simon Moore would be the first ‘keeper called into action when in the opening minute Carlton Morris’ through ball was deflected off Gustavo Hamer with Moore doing well to react in time.
But, from that block Coventry went on the counter with Viktor Gyokeres gaining territory before setting up Callum O’Hare, but the midfielder could put his shot wide of Brad’s Collins’ right-hand post.
City went close again when the energetic Dabo won a free kick out on the right side, which resulted in skipper Kyle McFadzean heading narrowly over from Hamer’s cross.
Ben Sheaf’s fizzing pass was well controlled by Ian Maatsen who’s ball picked out Gyokeres, but at full stretch the Swedish striker’s half volley rattled the cross bar before O’Hare put the rebound over.
However, it would be Barnsley that took the lead against the run of play, when Romal Palmer played in Dominik Frieser who found the bottom corner.
HALF TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Sky Blues
Barnsley won their first corner of the half but from the set piece Michal Helik headed over Moore’s goal.
The Sky Blues would go close again after O’Hare’s delicate chip found Michael Rose at the back post with the centre half’s header back across goal headed off the line by Cauley Woodrow.
O’Hare was pulled down just outside the box and from the resulting free kick Hamer’s effort was tipped over by Collins, with the Dutch midfielder’s second attempt, from the corner going just over the bar.
Clarke Odour looked to be one on one with Moore but Jake Clarke-Salter, on his debut, came across and made a strong and decisive tackle to clear the danger.
Maatsen found O’Hare in the box but the midfielder fired his shot wide with City deserving an equaliser.
Then in the first minute of stoppage time, Jamie Allen was brought down in the box with the referee pointing to the spot but Gyokeres effort was saved by Collins.
FULL TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Sky Blues
SCORERS: Dominik Frieser (39’)
CARDS: Fankaty Dabo (74’), Callum O’Hare (88’); Romal Palmer (50’), Toby Sibbick (68’), Dominik Freiser (71’), Jordan Williams (81’), Cauley Woodrow (82’), Brad Collins (85’), Josh Benson (87’), Liam Kitching (88’)
ATTENDANCE: 13,961 (1719 Away)
Sky Blues Xl: Simon Moore (GK), Fankaty Dabo, Michael Rose (Jake Clarke-Salter 77’), Kyle McFadzean (C), Dom Hyam, Ian Maatsen, Ben Sheaf (Jamie Allen 77’), Gustavo Hamer, Callum O'Hare, Tyler Walker (Martyn Waghorn 17’), Viktor Gyokeres.
Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Jake Clarke-Salter, Julien Dacosta, Jamie Allen, Jordan Shipley, Jodi Jones, Martyn Waghorn
Barnsley XI: Brad Collins (GK), Ben Williams (Jordan Williams 71’), Callum Styles, Liam Kitching, Callum Brittain, Cauley Woodrow (C), Carlton Morris (Clarke Oduor 34’), Toby Sibbick, Romal Palmer (Josh Benson 63’), Dominik Frieser, Michael Helik
Subs: Jack Walton (GK, Jordan Williams, Josh Benson, Jasper Moon, Clarke Oduor, Aapo Halme, Victor Adeboyejo