The Sky Blues fell to defeat against Preston North End at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The visitors took the lead inside the first minute of the game when Emil Riis headed home from a ball whipped in by Alan Browne.
That lead was doubled not long after, as the ball broke to Will Keane in the middle and he slotted the ball into the back of the net.
City were forced into a change midway through the first half and it was bad news for Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who was stretchered off; being replaced by Kasey Palmer.
The Sky Blues were growing into the game and had a sight at goal to pull one back, but Josh Eccles couldn’t find the target from the edge of the area.
However, a break down the left enabled Riis to put the ball into the box and it was diverted past Wilson by Bobby Thomas and into the back of the net.
The ball somehow stayed out at the other end, after Woodman kept out Callum O’Hare and then Haji Wright’s shot on the rebound was deflected over the bar.
Before the break, City caught the visitors on the break and it was O’Hare who slid in Simms and he cut back and then forced Woodman into a fine stop.
HALF-TIME: Sky Blues 0-3 Preston North End
On the hunt for a way back into the game, Milan van Ewijk cut inside from the right and forced Woodman into a stop, as he punched the ball clear.
It was Milan who went close again, this time a cross from the right was on it’s way into the back of the net at the near post, but Woodman was on hand to keep it out.
City pushed for a way back into the game, but they were held at bay by the Preston North End defence, as they saw the game out.
Goals: Emil Riis 1’, Will Keane 20’, Bobby Thomas OG 38’
Yellows: Ben Whiteman, Jordan Storey
Attendance: 24,500 (1,012)
Sky Blues Xl: Ben Wilson (GK), Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Luis Binks, Jay Dasilva (Bidwell 46’), Joel Latibeaudiere (C), Josh Eccles (Kelly 81’), Callum O'Hare (Torp 73’), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Palmer 31’), Ellis Simms, Haji Wright (Godden 73’).
Subs: Brad Collins (GK), Liam Kitching, Dermi Lusala, Jake Bidwell, Liam Kelly, Victor Torp, Kasey Palmer, Fabio Tavares, Matty Godden.
PNE Xl: Freddie Woodman (GK), Ben Whiteman, Liam Lindsay, Will Keane (Ledson 88'), Alan Browne (C), Mads Frokjaer-Jensen (Woodburn 88'), Ali McCann, Jordan Storey, Andrew Hughes, Emil Riis (Osmajic 74'), Liam Millar (Cunningham 74').
Subs: Dai Cornell (GK), Greg Cunningham, Layton Stewart, Ryan Ledson, Ben Woodburn, Jack Whatmough, Miluton Osmajic, Noah Mawene, Josh Seary.