Coventry 1-3 Cardiff

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Gavin Gordon scored Cardiff's second goal to set up the win

Cardiff bounced back from a goal down to score three times and seal victory over Coventry inside the first half at Highfield Road.

Sky Blues midfielder Michael Doyle, returning from a three-game suspension, gave the hosts a well-deserved 11th-minute lead before Gareth Whalley equalised for Cardiff.

Gavin Gordon provided the visitors' second before the Bluebirds' lead was extended by Robert Earnshaw's penalty shortly before the break.

Coventry, stunned by the first-half reversal of fortunes, proved unable to follow the opposition's lead to bounce back from adversity.

And Earnshaw even went close to adding Cardiff's fourth when his cross-shot rebound off the post.

Doyle gave Coventry a well deserved lead with a magnificent half-volley which found the top of the net from 20 yards out.

Patrick Suffo was then denied by the woodwork after beating the Bluebirds goalkeeper with a shot before Cardiff scored an equaliser on the break and much against the run of play.

Earnshaw's cross-shot was only partially blocked by keeper Scott Shearer and Whalley pounced on the loose ball to force it home.

The visitors powered into a shock lead just three minutes later when Gary Croft flighted a free-kick from the right which Gordon rose to meet with a magnificent header.

Coventry poured forward in numbers only to see Doyle's penalty appeal waved away by referee Eddie Ilderton after the midfielder appeared to have been fouled by Richard Langley.

The Sky Blues' indignation was to deepen just moments later when Ilderton awarded a penalty for Cardiff following Shearer's challenge on Earnshaw who had sprinted down the right channel only to be felled inside the box.

Earnshaw converted comfortably from the spot by beating the keeper to his right.

There was little craft or guile on show in the second half although the industrious Earnshaw saw a shot cut back from wide on the left beat Shearer but not the Coventry woodwork.

Doyle, easily Coventry's most dangerous player, chanced his arm on three further occasions but failed to trouble Alexander.

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Coventry: Shearer, Whing, Shaw, Staunton, Warnock, Jorgensen, Suffo, Safri, Doyle, Adebola, Morrell. Subs: Arphexad, Konjic, Pead, Barrett, Osbourne.

Cardiff: Alexander, Croft, Gabbidon, Vidmar, Barker, Langley, Whalley, Bonner, Robinson, Earnshaw, Gordon. Subs: Margetson, Prior, Collins, Maxwell, Gray.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).