The Sky Blues have exited the FA Cup at its Third Round after a narrow 4-3 loss to Wrexham AFC
Wrexham raced to an early two-goal lead but Ben Sheaf's first goal of the season helped to soften the blow.
However, a third from the visitors on the stroke of half time came as a sucker punch when the Sky Blues were heading back into the tie.
Wrexham added a forth on the hour mark which looked to put the game to bed, but a quick fire double brought City within touching distance of levelling.
The Sky Blues continued to attack but were unable to find the crucial goal to seal a replay back in Wales.
Kasey Palmer created the game's first real chance when he whipped in a free-kick towards Michael Rose at the back post, but the defender snatched at the effort and blazed past the post.
The visitors pounced and took the lead just after ten minutes when Luke Young picked his head up and found a cross for Sam Dalby who got across his man and headed home past Simon Moore.
Palmer then came close to levelling the for the Sky Blues when he lined up a free-kick from 25-yards, only to see his effort cannon off the post.
But the next goal fell the way of the Red Dragons who doubled their lead as Elliot Lee cut in from the left and whipped an effort into the far corner.
The Sky Blues managed to reduce the deficit shortly before the half-time whistle, however, as Palmer picked out Ben Sheaf who volleyed home to bring his side back into the game.
Mark Robins’ side continued strongly to the break but were undone by Wrexham’s long throw which fell to Thomas O’Connor who nodded home for a third.
HALF-TIME: Sky Blues 1-3 Wrexham AFC
The Sky Blues restarted with chances through Palmer and Jonathan Panzo as the pair fired from range and headed wide, respectively, but both wide of the mark.
Just shy of the hour mark, the challenge was made greater for City as Panzo was shown a straight red card for a handball in the penalty area. Paul Mullin stepped up from the resulting penalty and fired home to extend Wrexham’s lead.
City continued to march on in search of a cup comeback and clawed one back as Palmer capitalised on a loose ball and squared to Viktor Gyökeres to calmly finish for the Sky Blues’ second.
After being denied by the woodwork early in the first half, Palmer stepped up once again and rooted the keeper as his free kick flew into the back of the net to bring the Sky Blues within one goal of the away side.
Gyökeres came close to doubling his tally for the evning but a fine save from Mark Howard to push the strike onto the bar ensured the visitors progressed to the next round.
FULL-TIME: Sky Blues 3-4 Wrexham AFC
Scorers: Sam Dalby (12’), Elliot Lee (18’), Ben Sheaf (36’), Thomas O’Connor (45+6’), Paul Mullin (58’), Viktor Gyökeres (70’), Kasey Palmer (76’)
Yellow cards: Sam Dalby (16’), Paul Mullin (45+7’), Liam McAlinden (88'), Luke Young (90'), Michael Rose (90+7')
Red cards: Jonathan Panzo (57’)
Attendance: 18,218 (4,407 away)
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Fankaty Dabo (Callum Doyle 62'), Michael Rose, Jonathan Panzo, Jake Bidwell, Jack Burroughs (Todd Kane 70’), Liam Kelly (C) (Gustavo Hamer 70’), Ben Sheaf, Kasey Palmer, Martyn Waghorn (Jamie Allen 70’), Fabio Tavares (Viktor Gyökeres, 34’).
Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Josh Reid, Ryan Howley, Harrison Nee.
Wrexham AFC XI: Mark Howard (GK), Reece Hall-Johnson (Anthony Forde 81'), Callum McFadzean (Liam McAlinden 72’), Ben Tozer, Jordan Tuncliffe, Luke Yong (C), Paul Mullin (Ollie Palmer 68’), Sam Dalby, Thomas O'Connor, Max Cleworth, Elliot Lee (James Jones 81').
Subs: Rob Lainton (GK), Andy Cannon, Scott Butler, Harry Lennon, Jacob Bickerstaff.