Coventry City produced a ruthlessly efficient away performance to beat Bristol City 2-0 and stretch their lead at the top, with first-half goals from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Haji Wright proving enough despite the visitors playing more than half the match with ten men.
Joel Latibeaudiere's 43rd-minute red card appeared to hand the Robins a route back into the contest, only for Wright to double the Sky Blues' advantage in first-half added time. Adam Randell's dismissal early in the second period left the game ten-a-side, and although Gerhard Struber's team dominated possession after the break, they found Carl Rushworth in inspired form as Coventry defended resolutely to see the game out.
Armstrong Threatens But Sky Blues Land The First Blow
Bristol City began on the front foot, with Sinclair Armstrong's pace immediately unsettling the Coventry back line. The big striker's first opening came inside the opening minute, when he caught a dropping ball on the volley from outside the box but sent his effort wide. In the 12th minute he threatened again, driving infield to fire a shot from around 20 yards that flashed narrowly past the post as the hosts continued to press.