READING FC were plunged deeper into relegation trouble after they suffered their first defeat under interim boss Noel Hunt.
After consecutive draws, the Royals’ dreadful away form continued to plague them.
The Royals were level for a matter of minutes when Lucas Joao scored, only for Gustavo Hamer to restore Coventry’s advantage with the next attack of the game.
Relegation rivals QPR picked up a stunning win over Championship leaders Burnley which means Reading are four points behind them with two games left.
Reading trail Huddersfield by a point and the Terriers have a game in hand, while they are three points behind Cardiff who also have a game in hand.
Lining up for their first trip on the road under Noel Hunt, the interim boss made a clear show of faith in youth.
Midfielder Mamadi Camara was handed his first ever Championship start after impressing in recent substitute cameos as he came into the eleven to replace Tyrese Fornah.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan returned to partner Lucas Joao up top after Andy Carroll’s red card against Luton means he is suspended for the next two matches.
There was an added boost with both Tom McIntyre and Shane Long fit enough to be named among the substitutes.
Meanwhile, the Sky Blues were looking to boost their play-off hopes in a starting eleven that included the league’s second top scorer Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres caused Reading problems right from the first whistle in a bid to try and add to his personal tally of 20 Championship goals.
His first sight of goal came with three minutes gone after he benefited from Gustavo Hamer’s work down the right and shot across goal.
Tom Holmes picked up an early booking after deciding to haul down Gyokeres who looked to have a clear run into the box.
After receiving a short free-kick, Gyokeres spun past Andy Yiadom with ease, but could only manage a tame shot that was held by Joe Lumley.
The Swedish international then went agonisingly close when Lumley did well to shut down his angle as he tried to take the ball past the keeper before Holmes made a heroic block.
The Sky Blues continued to turn the screw in search of an opener and somehow failed to open the scoring when the Royals defence made two big blocks before Gyokeres shot off target from close range.
Reading struggled to get out of their half to cause the hosts problems in attack as Nesta Guinness-Walker hit a stray pass looking for Femi Azeez with a host of bodies waiting in the box for a cross.
Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson then grasped the ball after Jeff Hednrick’s drilled ball couldn’t quite find Naby Sarr.
Covetnrys’ pressure eventually became too much and they took the lead after 36 minutes.
Camara lost possession cheaply and was beaten on the wing and Hamer clipped the ball into Matt Godden who fired a volley into the bottom corner with a precise finish on the turn.
Reading’s only half chance came when Tom Holmes headed deep into the box from a corner but it was clutched gratefully by Wilson.
The Sky Blues then nearly punished Reading on the counter from their own corner when they steamed forward and Gyokeres smacked the post with a shot from the edge of the box.
Having made a big call to put Camara in from the start, Noel Hunt made the decision to withdraw him at half-time and bring on Tyrese Fornah.
Buoyed by that change, Reading made the ideal start to the half to get level.
Fornah ignited the move by playing it into the feet of Lucas Joao who took aim from almost 25 yards out and curled an exceptional finish past Wilson to find the corner and to put his team on terms.
But just as Reading got level, they shot themselves in the foot as the home team replied instantly to restore their lead.
Hamer tried to play the ball into the box and saw the ball ricochet off Sarr and kindly into his path. He took the invitation gratefully and clipped the ball past Lumley to make it 2-1.
Azeez was knocked down from 25 yards to give him a striking chance from a free-kick. But the effort was wasted as his effort was blasted into the wall.
The next switch from Hunt saw Ehibhatiomhan replaced by defender McIntyre.
Hamer went close to capitalising after Sarr surrendered possession, but Lumley came up with an important stop to keep his side in the game.
Another substitute was made with 15 minutes left to play as Shane Long took the place of Azeez.
Gyokeres missed two massive chances in the final moments of the match before eight minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official.
Reading were unable to muster another equaliser which meant their winless run continued to leave them in 22nd position with just two matches left to play.
Coventry: Wilson, McNally, Doyle, Panzo, Dabo, Eccles, Kelly, Hamer, Wilson-Esbrand, Gyokeres, Godden
Subs: McFadzean, Norton-Cuffy, Allen, Walker, Bidwell, Howley, Tyler
Reading: Lumley, Yiadom (c), Holmes, Sarr, Guinness-Walker, Hendrick, Casadei, Camara, Azeez, Lucas Joao, Ehibhatiomhan
Subs: McIntyre, Dann, Long, Fornah, Mbengue, Abrefa, Boyce-Clarke
Goals: Godden 36’, Lucas Joao 51’, Hamer 54’
