Jason Scotland scored his fourth goal for the Blues since his move from Wigan but it wasn’t enough to prevent Town from falling to a 2-1 home defeat to Coventry City. The visitors, previously without a win at Portman Road since 1994, were ahead through Clive Platt at half-time and went further in front via a Lukas Jutkiewicz penalty before Scotland pulled one back for the Blues, who pressed for an equaliser without success.

Town boss Roy Keane chose to leave captain David Norris on the bench but recalled Luke Hyam to his usual holding midfield role, the duo having missed the victory over Leeds through suspension. Grant Leadbitter took the armband as he lined up alongside Jake Livermore in the central midfield positions ahead of Hyam.

At the back, Jaime Peters moved back to right-back from midfield with Tom Eastman dropping to the bench. Jason Scotland started up front on his own with new signing Jack Colback not in the 18 having driven down from Sunderland yesterday afternoon prior to completing his loan switch until January.

Town had an early shout for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Coventry skipper Lee Carsley’s hand as he cleared but referee Rob Shoebridge wasn’t interested.

Moments later, a wayward pass from Mark Kennedy to Tommy Smith five yards outside the Town area handed Lukas Jutkiewicz an opportunity for a strike from the edge of the area but the ball flew high and wide.

The Blues probably just about had the better of the early possession, although without seriously testing Coventry keeper Kieren Westwood, but in the 19th minute the visitors went ahead. Former Canary Sammy Clingan sent in a deep corner from the left which Aron Gunnarsson headed back into the six-yard box from where Clive Platt nodded home, muscling his way through a crowd of players to do so.

The Blues weren’t far from getting back on terms in the 28th minute when Livermore hit a 25-yard strike narrowly wide, the Town players claiming the ball had taken a deflection off a Coventry player on its way through. Soon after, ex-Town academy youngster and ballboy Richard Keogh got his name in referee Shoebridge’s book for a blatant pull-back on Andros Townsend.

Jutkiewicz would have added to his side’s lead on the half hour but for a fine saving challenge by Gareth McAuley after the former Everton man had run on to a Platt flick into the area. Coventry had posed much the bigger threat since the goal, mainly from balls played over the top and set pieces with the Blues too often making heavy weather of clearing their lines.

The Sky Blues were very close to going further in front in the 39th minute when the Blues were again caught out by a ball beyond the backline. McAuley did well to get back but couldn’t prevent Jutkiewicz from hitting a shot which beat Fülöp but struck the underside of the bar. Fortunately for Town the ball bounced out, although it may well have already crossed the line even if referee Shoebridge and his linesman felt otherwise.

On 42 Clingan curled a 25-yard freekick into Fülöp’s arms, then at the other end Scotland diverted a Peters ball into the box over the bar after a long spell of Town possession.

Scotland came close to getting the Blues back on terms just before the break, Carsley getting a touch on the Trinidadian’s shot from just inside the box and doing enough to divert it wide.

The Blues might have been more than the single goal behind as they went in at half-time, the visitors having had much the better of the game’s chances and perhaps unlucky that the Jutkiewicz shot off the bar hadn’t been adjudged to have crossed the line.

For once Town’s usually solid backline had been found wanting, while the Blues had shown some promise going forward, passing the ball around slickly at times, but without creating much of note. Again the Blues’ set pieces and long throws were under par with Grant Leadbitter again guilty of hitting the first defender on too many occasions.

Roy Keane decided to change his personnel and system for the second period, sacrificing Luke Hyam in order to add Connor Wickham to the attack.

Town started the half very strongly, dominating possession but failing to involve Westwood until Scotland forced him into a low save to his right in the 51st minute. Soon after, Livermore hit a low shot straight at the Sky Blues’ Irish keeper.

Coventry increased their lead from their first attack of the second period. Jutkiewicz cut in from the left and went to ground under pressure from McAuley. It was debatable whether McAuley had even made a challenge and any contact had in any case been merely a tangle of legs, nevertheless referee Shoebridge pointed to the spot and Jutkiewicz stroked the ball to Fülöp’s right and into the net.

Within 90 seconds the Blues had pulled a goal back. Jaime Peters exchanged passes with Livermore on the right of the area, then fired a low ball into the box, which Jason Scotland slammed past Westwood for his fourth goal for Town, all at home.

On 73 David Norris and Tamás Priskin replaced Andros Townsend and Jaime Peters, as the Blues switched to a three-man attack.

Town continued to push for the equaliser against a Coventry side which had shown little attacking endeavour in the second half and in the 75th minute Scotland flicked an Edwards cross wide.

Coventry almost added to their lead in fortunate circumstances a minute later, Clingan’s freekick from the right missing everyone and striking a post before being scrambled out for a corner.

On 82 Scotland forced Westwood to save to his right with a 20-yard strike from a Priskin lay-back, then with two minutes of normal time remaining McAuley weakly headed to Westwood after Smith had flicked on an Edwards long throw.

Coventry sub Carl Baker shot wide during the three minutes of injury time with Mark Kennedy holding what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Town continued to push, but without creating anything in the way of clear-cut opportunities and referee Shoebridge blew his whistle to signal the Blues’s second home defeat of the season.

The Blues had controlled most of the second half but hadn’t made their domination tell with Westwood all too rarely forced into action.

While the penalty looked soft, Coventry, who defended resolutely throughout the second period, had a number of first half opportunities and may feel that Jutkiewicz’s shot off the bar had crossed the line.

Despite the defeat the Blues, now sixth, played some good football at times but the lack of creativity — and in particular the poor set piece delivery - will be a concern for Roy Keane and his management team. Town will hope to get back to winning ways when they visit Watford on Tuesday evening.

Town: Fülöp, Peters (Norris 73), Kennedy, McAuley, Smith, Hyam (Wickham 46), Leadbitter, Livermore, Edwards (Priskin 73), Townsend, Scotland: Subs: Unused: Murphy, Delaney, Brown, Eastman. Att: 19,110 (Coventry: 529).

Photo: Action Images

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