Coventry maintain five-point lead at the top after beating Bristol City

Championship leaders Coventry got back to winning ways as a 1-0 victory against Bristol City kept them five points clear at the top.

Ephron Mason-Clark scored the winner in the second half as the Sky Blues maintained their advantage over second-placed Middlesbrough.

It was Coventry’s seventh successive home victory – they last had a longer home winning run between May and October 2021.

Frank Lampard’s team started on the front foot and came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute.

Key man Jack Rudoni fed Haji Wright, whose fierce shot struck a post. Victor Torp saw his follow-up effort blocked as the leaders threatened to run riot.

But the visitors caused Coventry problems on the counter-attack, with Sinclair Armstrong hitting the woodwork after good work from Emil Riis. Armstrong was a constant menace, forcing goalkeeper Carl Rushworth into a smart stop following a clever turn.

Back came Coventry and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto tested the reflexes of Robins goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

There was a big flashpoint just after the half-hour mark when Armstrong had a goal controversially ruled out for handball by referee Stephen Martin. TV replays suggested it was a harsh decision.

It was end-to-end stuff as Vitek got down low to his right to turn away Mason-Clark’s terrific strike from long range. The Manchester United loanee also foiled Wright in the dying moments of the first half as Coventry continued to press for the opener.

Bristol City tweaked things at half-time, with Mark Sykes making way for defender Haydon Roberts and they were unfortunate not to take the lead just after the hour when Adam Randell’s header from Anis Mehmeti’s cross was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Rushworth.

It proved a big moment as Mason-Clark fired Coventry in front in the 64th minute, squeezing the ball in from close range after Bobby Thomas’ header came off a post and Wright’s shot was blocked.

The goal was no more than Coventry deserved following a good spell of pressure.

To their credit, the Robins refused to give up and Rushworth had to be alert to keep out Mehmeti’s deflected drive. Riis then spurned a golden chance to level, sending a looping header over the bar.

Ross McCrorie, Armstrong and Scott Twine were also thwarted by Rushworth as Bristol City piled the pressure on. It took a stunning stop from Rushworth to prevent Fally Mayulu from equalising in time added on as Coventry held on to secure maximum points.

It is now three matches without a win for the visitors. The defeat leaves Gerhard Struber’s side in 11th, four points outside of the play-off places.