The Sky Blues fell to defeat against Cardiff City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Ellis Simms had fired City in front, but two Liam Kitching own goals either side of half-time, saw the points slip away.
The game’s opening chance fell to the Sky Blues following a quick breakaway which led to Haji Wright picking out the run of Kasey Palmer and the midfielder got his shot away on the stretch, but Horvath saved well.
Ellis Simms came into the game with four goals in his previous two outings and it only took him ten minutes to test Horvath, forcing him into a stop at his near post from a shot inside of the area.
Ben Sheaf came within inches of breaking the deadlock, as he cut inside and bent the ball towards the top corner, with the ball whistling over the bar.
The visitors tested Brad Collins for the first time midway through the first half with a header from Nathaniel Phillips, which the City ‘keeper held onto.
The Sky Blues would break the deadlock minutes after and it came after Simms picked up the ball in midfield, charged forward before the ball eventually fell to Milan van Ewijk out wide and he picked out Simms in the box and the striker nestled the ball into the back of the net.
Cardiff looked for an immediate response as Karlan Grant struck from distance, with his effort going wide of goal.
The Bluebirds drew level from a corner which wasn’t dealt with, and it ended with Liam Kitching putting into his own goal to make it 1-1.
A chance before the break fell to the Sky Blues to retake the lead, but Jake Bidwell’s cross could only be headed onto the top of the netting by Bobby Thomas.
HALF-TIME: Sky Blues 1-1 Cardiff City
The restart began with a spectacular strike from Josh Bowler around 25-yards-out that came close to finding the back of the net.
Cardiff had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the game and it was Grant who raced through on goal and one-on-one with Collins, he fired wide.
City began to kick into gear, and they looked dangerous in the air and multiple balls into the box from Jake Bidwell were met by the head of Wright and Palmer, but neither could steer their headers on target.
Quick, sharp passing around the Cardiff box saw space created in the area for van Ewijk, but on his left-foot, he volleyed wide.
The visitors would take the lead for the first time in the game after a Bowler cross diverted off Kitching and past Collins.
City thought they had their leveller five minutes from time, but after Haji Wright headed past Horvath, the flag was raised for offside.
FULL-TIME: Sky Blues 1-2 Cardiff City
Goals: Ellis Simms 24’, Liam Kitching OG 29’ 67’
Yellows: David Turnbull, Ben Sheaf, Aaron Ramsey
Attendance: 28,529 (1,689)
Sky Blues Xl: Brad Collins (GK), Bobby Thomas, Joel Latibeaudiere (Tavares 68’), Liam Kitching; Milan van Ewijk, Ben Sheaf (C), Josh Eccles (Torp 68’), Jake Bidwell (Dasilva 75’); Kasey Palmer (O’Hare 75’), Ellis Simms, Haji Wright.
Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Luis Binks, Jay Dasilva, Dermi Lusala, Victor Torp, Liam Kelly, Kai Andrews, Callum O’Hare, Fabio Tavares.
Cardiff City Xl: Ethan Horvath (GK), Perry Ng, Dimitrios Goutas, Nathaniel Phillips, Jamilu Collins, Joe Ralls (C) (Ramsey 85’), Manolis Siopis, David Turnbull (Wintle 72’), Josh Bowler (Tanner 93’), Karlan Grant, Yakou Meitie (O’Dowda 72’).
Subs: Matthew Turner (GK), Mahlon Romeo, Ryan Wintle, Aaron Ramsey, Callum O’Dowda, Romaine Sawyers, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Ollie Tanner, Callum Robinson.
