Match Report

Scott Dann's first minute strike proved decisive as Coventry City edged out Midlands rivals Birmingham City at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues got off to the best possible start when they took the lead after just 59 seconds.

Clinton Morrison forced a good save from Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor and the resulting corner was hit low by Dan Fox to Coventry skipper Dann at the near post, who side-footed home into the bottom left-hand corner.

The visitors' best chance of the half came on 38 minutes, Sebastian Larsson at the heart of the action when his free-kick took a deflection, forcing Keiren Westwood to pull off a brilliant save down to his left.

Coventry's new signing David Bell should have scored on the stroke of half-time when Leon McKenzie's low cross found him, but he sent an effort wide of Taylor's left-hand post.

The home side again began the livelier of the two teams and Morrison hit a fantastic 30-yard ball for McKenzie, but he failed to make clean contact and his weak strike was hit straight at Taylor.

In an end-to-end half chances for either side saw Keith Fahey shoot wide from the top of the box, before Leon Best was played through on goal by substitute Jordan Henderson, but Best's powerful effort produced a good save from Taylor.

Larsson made up for a costly error when Best robbed the Swede in Coventry's half before playing Henderson in, but Larsson ran the length of the pitch to block the shot.

Controversy reined in the 81st minute when substitute Hameur Bouazza had a goal ruled out for offside.

Coventry composed themselves quickly and Best should have done better with an effort at the far post on 83 minutes.

The Sky Blues defended in numbers throughout five minutes of injury time and held firm to take all three points.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides