A controversial goal from Elliott Ward together with a late strike from Leon Best condemned Leicester City to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of M69 rivals Coventry on Saturday afternoon.
The defender's 32nd penalty after Gareth McAuley was adjudged to have fouled Leon Best inside the area set the home side on their way and despite the visitors' dominance after the break, the burly striker secured all three points for new manager Chris Coleman.
Patrick Kisnorbo, Joe Mattock, substitute Barry Hayles and Iain Hume did come close for City but it just did not prove to be their day in front of goal, with Lady Luck again deserting them.
The visitors started brightly and were the first to register a shot on goal but Matt Oakley saw his shot charged down by Marcus Hall.
In the build-up to the shot Stephen Hughes went down innocuously inside the area but it was serious enough to see the midfielder stretchered off after receiving lengthy treatment, with Kevin Thornton replacing him on seven minutes.
The Foxes broke quickly three minutes later but Iain Hume's shot from 20-yards was saved by Andy Marshall, low down to his right.
At the other end, Ben Alnwick could not hold on to Danny Fox's long range free-kick but Kisnorbo was on hand to clear the loose ball with Best lurking.
DJ Campbell then saw his shot blocked by Ward in the 18th minute before Michael Hughes fired high and wide on 29 minutes.
However, the home side took a controversial lead on 32 minutes through Ward.
After McAuley and Best had challenged for a long ball over the top inside the area, the Foxes defender thought he had done enough for a corner.
However, referee Keith Stroud controversially pointed to the penalty spot with both sides amazed by the decision.
McAuley was then booked before the tall defender stepped up in front of the 5,000 visiting fans to plant the ball under Alnwick for a debatable opener.
Jay Tabb shot over the bar soon after then Thornton was booked for a late lunge on Jamie Clapham on 36 minutes.
Best was cautioned for a late lunge on Clapham five minutes later before the injured Zolt Laczko made way for Joe Mattock in first half injury time.
Bruno N'Gotty replaced the injured McAuley on 51 minutes before Mattock created the visitors' best chance of the contest three minutes later when he let fly from 25-yards but his effort flew narrowly the wrong side of the left-hand post with Marshall beaten.
Captain Stephen Clemence was booked for a foul on Isaac Osbourne on the hour then Alnwick saved from goalscorer Ward two minutes later.
The Foxes continued to push for the leveller and Kisnorbo came close on 66 minutes when he headed inches wide from Clemence's corner from the right.
A last gasp tackle from N'Gotty thwarted Thornton moments later and Hume had appeals for a penalty turned down after his shot seemed to strike a Coventry arm inside the box.
Howard's shot was then blocked on the edge of the area on 76 minutes before Alnwick saved at his near post from Best.
However, the hosts secured all three points in the 79th minute when Best drilled the ball home from the right hand angle, ignoring the protests for offside.
Barry Hayles replaced Clapham on 81 minutes as the visitors looked to salvage something out of the game.
Robbie Simpson came on for Best two minutes later before Julian Gray made way for Wayne Andrews in the 86th minute.
Michael Mifsud fired over in the dying moments before a fine one-handed save from Andy Marshall denied Hume.
But there was no way back for the Foxes, who slipped to defeat.
City: Alnwick, Chambers J, Kisnorbo, McAuley (N'Gotty 51), Clapham (Hayles 81), Hume, Clemence ©, Oakley, Laczko (Mattock 45), Howard, Campbell. Subs not used: Fryatt, Stearman.
Sky Blues: Marshall, Hall, Fox, Ward, Hughes © (Thornton 7), Osbourne, Mifsud, Tabb, Best (Simpson 83), Gray (Andrews 86), Hughes. Subs not used: Konstantopoulos, Dann.
Yellow Cards
City: McAuley (31), Clemence (60)
Sky Blues: Thornton (36), Best (41)
Referee: Keith Stroud
Attendance: 23,129 (5,042 away)
