Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Coventry and Cardiff were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Highfield Road - a result which does neither side any favours.

Trinidad international Stern John gave Coventry the lead with the game's first attempt at goal in the 16th minute only for Lee Bullock to level for Cardiff within three minutes.

Cardiff, whose fight against relegation has not been helped by the financial crisis which has rocked the club, played some neat football without really creating too many chances.

Coventry, meanwhile, continued their mini-revival under new manager Micky Adams as they have now lost only one of their last five games.

Coventry, beaten just once in their previous four games, took the lead in the 16th minute.

Cardiff failed to clear Gary McSheffrey's corner and John was on hand to scramble the ball home for his eighth goal of the season.

But Cardiff were level within three minutes as Bullock, making his first league start since the end of November, glanced in Richard Langley's quickly-taken corner - his first league goal since mid-October.

Striker Trevor Benjamin, a recent free-transfer signing from League Two Northampton, nearly restored Coventry's advantage in the 24th minute but directed his header from Richard Duffy's cross wide.

Moments later, Cardiff's Junichi Inamoto fired in a shot from the edge of the box which Sky Blues goalkeeper Ian Bennett - back following suspension - was equal to.

Duffy had the first attempt after the break, the on-loan Portsmouth player firing wide from 20 yards, and John lifted his opportunity over the bar as Coventry seeked to regain the lead.

Adams, knowing his side really need the three points, made a double substitution on the hour, bringing on Graham Barrett and Andrew Morrell for John and Claus Jorgensen.

Within minutes Morrell was cautioned for a foul on Jobi McAnuff before Inamoto and Langley fired wide for Cardiff.

Chances were few and far between by McSheffrey - one of Coventry's best performers - forced visiting goalkeeper Neil Alexander into a save with 21 minutes left.

Coventry had another chance six minutes later but Benjamin could only direct his header from Stephen Hughes' free-kick over the bar.

Teams:

Coventry Bennett, Duffy, Williams, Staunton, Hall, Jorgensen (Morrell 61), Doyle, Hughes, McSheffrey, Benjamin (Adebola 86), John (Barrett 61).

Subs Not Used: Steele, Whing.

Booked: Morrell.

Goals: John 16.

Cardiff Alexander, Weston (Williams 69), Gabbidon, Collins, Barker, Langley, Inamoto, Ledley, McAnuff, Bullock, Jerome (Fleetwood 84).

Subs Not Used: Margetson, Vidmar, Koskela.

Booked: Jerome, Inamoto, Weston.

Goals: Bullock 19.

Att: 17,059

Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).