Roy Keane suffered his first defeat as Town boss as a Clinton Morrison double gave Coventry the three points.

The Republic of Ireland international capitalised on a mistake in the Town defence to put the Sky Blues ahead early on and then sent a brilliant header past Richard Wright midway through the first-half.

Town cut the lead before the half hour with Lee Martin releasing Jon Walters who made no mistake from 15 yards and Blues had more than enough chances to have grabbed at least an equaliser, Pim Balkestein and Walters both denied by the impressive Keiren Westwood.

Martin and Damien Delaney made their debuts for Town, with Tamas Priskin starting on the bench following his move from Watford on Friday.

Town started brightly and had much of the early possession but were rocked on nine minutes when Morrison finished superbly after a mix up in the Town defence, Gareth McAuley missing his header from a Westwood punt downfield, then Wright left stranded as he came for the loose ball.

The goal lifted Coventry and Aron Gunnarsson went close from distance, then saw his shot blocked by Alex Bruce. Martin was then upended by Ben Turner at the other end on the edge of the box but no free-kick went Blues' way.

The Sky Blues extended their lead on 23 minutes with another brilliant finish by Morrison. The former Crystal Palace striker beating McAuley to Isaac Osbourne's cross with a diving header that left Wright with no chance.

Town reduced the arrears five minutes later, Martin releasing Walters who scored with ease after the impressive Patrick van Aanholt, on loan from Chelsea, switched off on the halfway line. 

McAuley twice headed just wide from corners as Town pressed for an equaliser, Jon Stead then setting up Martin who blasted over from close range.

Martin flicked the ball over the bar at the nearpost after a flowing counter attack involving David Norris, Walters and Bruce as Blues finished the first-half strongly.

Town were equally quick out of the blocks as the second-half got underway, Jaime Peters twice forcing Westwood into action, Liam Trotter inches away from diverting a cross into the net as the Sky Blues were pressed back.

Town lost Norris on 56 minutes, the midfielder clearing suffering after taking a knock, Owen Garvan the replacement.

Coventry made a first change on the hour with Freddy Eastwood on for Leon Best, 17-year-old Jordon Clarke then handed his debut with David Bell making way.

Blues followed suit with a double change soon after, Connor Wickham and Priskin coming on for Stead and Peters.

Town dominated much of the last 20 minutes, Pim Balkestein seeing a free header go over the bar then Walters fired just wide with an ambitious 30 yard effort.

Westwood produced a brilliant save to keep out Walters' header, Balkestein looking to certain to score seconds later with Westwood beaten but the Dutchman's header was diverted off the line by Morrison.

Westwood had the luck two minutes from time when his feet kept out a deflected effort from Martin while Wright had to be alert at the other end to save from Clingan and Clarke but it was Coventry's day.

Coventry: Westwood, Osbourne, Wright, Turner, van Aanholt, Bell (Clarke 62), Gunnarsson, Clingan, McIndoe (Ward 82), Best (Eastwood 60), Morrison. Subs not used: Grandison, Cain, Jeffers, Konstantopoulos.