Match Report

Clinton Morrison returned to haunt Birmingham City with a goalscoring performance which gave Coventry City only their fifth win of the season.

The former Blues striker was delighted with his 53rd strike as the home side slumped to their second successive 1-0 reverse.

But the game ended in controversy when Franck Queudrue's effort was disallowed, although the television replay clearly showed the ball had crossed the line.

It was another disappointing home performance by second in the table Birmingham, who had been looking to close the gap on the leaders Wolves to one point.

Once again it was evident that if Birmingham, who included on-loan Nicky Hunt from Bolton, are to regain their Premier League status it is going to be achieved the hard way.

There is a big emphasis on defence and, despite having three strikers in attack in an attempt to batter Coventry into submission, it was the Sky Blues who were often the more dangerous.

Coventry had one let-off from a Seb Larsson corner. Kevin Phillips nudged the ball goalwards only to see goalkeeper Kieren Westwood fumble the effort. Fortunately Isaac Osbourne was on the line to clear.

It was then Birmingham's turn to breath a sigh of relief when a snap shot from Morrison rattled the crossbar.

The home fans became increasingly frustrated with the performance of their team and they had every reason to be anxious as Coventry were always a potential threat.

Coventry seemingly had a strong claim for a penalty when Morrison was body-checked by Liam Ridgwell, but their plea was firmly rejected by the referee.

Coventry's young skipper Scott Dann, along with Elliott Ward, was on top of his game. Phillips, in particularly, was completely shut out by the dominant Dann.

The stalemate was finally broken in the 53rd minute when an inswinging corner from the right by Danny Fox was headed home from close range by Morrison for his third goal of the season.

Westwood then came to Coventry's rescue with a magnificent finger-tip save just under the bar to keep out a Ridgewell header.

A few minutes later Westwood twisted to save a long-range swerving shot from James McFadden in a spell of strong Birmingham pressure. Marcus Bent then missed an opportunity when he failed to convert a McFadden cross.

Westwood was Coventry's hero late on as Birmingham laid siege to his goal. In Birmingham's desperate bid to equalise, the keeper tipped a Radhi Jaidi header against the bar.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides