Goals in either half from Brennan Johnson and James Garner see the Sky Blues fall to a 2-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Brennan Johnson squeezed the ball in at the far post to open the scoring midway through the first-half, giving Forest the lead.
The hosts extended their advantage in the second, with James Garner blasting home from Keinan Davies' clever through ball.
Despite Forest’s large stake of possession, the Sky Blues had the early edge, with the ball falling to Viktor Gyökeres, but the Swede’s effort was wide of the mark.
Gustavo Hamer’s slide-rule pass sealed off a neat one-two with Todd Kane, with the full-back firing a cross into the box, but lacking any finishing touch from a City shirt.
The Sky Blues swiftly won back possession and threatened once more as Callum O’Hare struck from distance, testing the hands of Brice Samba in the Forest net.
As the game rolled along, the hosts got into their attacking groove and took the lead through Brennan Johnson who bundled the ball home after a goal-mouth scramble.
HALF-TIME: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Sky Blues
The Reds started the second half the way they finished the first- with a couple of testing chances.
Died Spence’s cross found Philip Zinckernagel, who blazed his volley over the bar, before Keinan Davies powered forward and sent his shot wayward of Simon Moore’s goal.
The Sky Blues replied with one of their own, as O’hare charged past the Reds' midfield to unleash Gyökeres, who jinked past his man, but saw his effort miss the target.
Forest doubled their lead minutes after the hour mark, notched by James Garner who thumped his effort into the roof of the net, leaving Moore little chance.
A valiant effort from the Sky Blues, with some impressive phases of play, but not to be on this occassion against a solid Forest side.
FULL-TIME: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Sky Blues
Scorers: Brennan Johnson (24’), James Garner (61’)
Yellow cards: Joe Worrall (21’), Jake Bidwell (39’), Philip Zinckernagel (55’), Dom Hyam (77'), Callum O'Hare (90+6')
Attendance: 28,977 (1974 away)
Nottingham Forest XI: Brice Samba (GK), Died Spence, Joe Worrall (C), Tobias Figueiredo, Scott McKenna, Jack Colback, James Garner, Ryan Yates, Philip Zinckernagel (Joe Lolley 58’), Brennan Johnson (Sam Surridge 77'), Keinan Davies (Lewis Grabban 77').
Unused Subs: Ethan Horvath (GK), Lewis Grabban, Richie Laryea, Sam Surridge, Alex Fighten, Cafu.
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Todd Kane (Ian Maatsen 66’), Michael Rose, Dom Hyam (C), Jake Bidwell, Fankaty Dabo, Ben Sheaf (Fabio Tavares 66’), Gustavo Hamer (Ryan Howley (84'), Jamie Allen, Callum O'Hare, Viktor Gyökeres.
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Jordan Shipley, Will Bapaga, Martyn Waghorn.