Coventry stormed back to register their first win under boss Micky Adams as second-half goals from Gary McSheffrey and Stern John extended Reading's misery.

Veteran marksman Les Ferdinand scored his first goal for Reading to give Steve Coppell's side a half-time lead but the impressive McSheffrey fired an equaliser and John's acrobatic volley sealed three much-needed points for the Sky Blues.

Reading's promotion hopes are fading fast. Steve Coppell's side slipped out of the top six - they have not won in the league since Boxing Day - and, after a bright first period, they were made to look second best.

Reading were looking for an early lift following last week's defeat at Leeds and it was 38-year-old Ferdinand who delivered in the eighth minute.

Nick Shorey swung in a fine cross from the left and the former England international rose above the visitors' defence to plant a firm header into the bottom corner.

It was Ferdinand's first goal for Reading since arriving on a free transfer from Bolton at the turn of the year - and his first since October 27.

Apart from Stern John's speculative 20-yard curler almost straight from the kick-off, Micky Adams' strugglers failed to muster a single effort on Reading's goal for the next 15 minutes until Trevor Benjamin fired over the bar from 20 yards.

Reading's Senegalese defender Ibrahima Sonko was also off target, shooting over from slightly further out, before Dave Kitson forced visiting goalkeeper Ian Bennett into action with a sweetly-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Coventry improved as half-time approached and their better spell was almost rewarded with a goal but home goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was alert enough to Ady Williams' header from Gary McSheffrey's corner.

Hahnemann was on hand to deny Coventry again, doing well to hold Benjamin's spectacular overhead kick as Coventry looked to get back on level terms.

McSheffrey went close with two long-range efforts in as many minutes straight after the restart, the first flying over the crossbar and the second snaffled by Hahnemann.

The 22-year-old - once the youngest player to have appeared in the Premiership - fired in a third rasping drive just over soon after, while Hahnemann held John's far post header from Jorgensen's corner.

But there was no denying McSheffrey in the 63rd minute when he cut inside to rifle home Coventry's deserved equaliser from the left-hand edge of the penalty area.

Coventry, tails up, then threatened to take the lead. Hahnemann was well-placed to hold John's stinging drive and Isaac Osbourne just failed to keep down his fierce 25-yard volley.

But it got better for the Sky Blues. Benjamin teed the ball up for John on the edge of the penalty area and the latter obliged with an acrobatic volley that gave Hahnemann no chance and the visitors a deserved lead.

Andy Hughes drilled in a shot that Bennett parried as Reading at last responded, but, although Steve Sidwell and Dean Morgan went close to rescuing a point in the closing stages, Coventry held on for their fourth league away win of the season.

Teams

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little (Morgan 74), Sidwell, Harper, Hughes, Kitson, Ferdinand (Forster 63).

Subs Not Used: Owusu, Newman, Young.

Booked: Murty, Ferdinand.

Goals: Ferdinand 8.

Coventry Bennett, Duffy, Shaw, Williams, Giddings, Jorgensen (Barrett 82), Osbourne (Wood 85), Doyle, McSheffrey, Benjamin (Adebola 90), John.

Subs Not Used: Whing, Staunton.

Booked: McSheffrey.

Goals: McSheffrey 63, John 72.

Att: 15,904

Ref: G Salisbury (Lancashire).