Emergency stand-in Stephen Hughes kept a clean sheet as the relegation-threatened Coventry survived the first-half dismissal of regular goalkeeper Ian Bennett to grind out a precious point against in-form Coca-Cola Championship rivals Stoke.

The loss of Bennett for deliberate handball shortly before the interval forced Hughes into service between the posts as Coventry had not named a recognised goalkeeper among their substitutes.

Despite playing with 10 men for the whole of the second half the Sky Blues may consider themselves unfortunate not to have claimed all three points after Gary McSheffrey had a second-half penalty saved by Stoke keeper Steve Simonsen.

But with relegation rivals Gillingham collecting three points against Wigan, Micky Adams' side are now just two points from safety having won only one of their last seven matches.

Stoke, with three straight wins behind them, began brightly and striker Chris Greenacre fired a right-footed effort narrowly wide from 25 yards after little more than 60 seconds.

The Sky Blues then began to gain a foothold and Stern John fired in an effort from the edge of the box which drifted wide.

Stoke remained a threat and Dave Brammer delivered a delightful cross which Greenacre met with a weak header for Bennett to collect comfortably.

But Coventry began to dominate and Trevor Benjamin warmed Simonsen's hands with a long-range strike before Bennett was dismissed four minutes before the interval and Hughes donned the goalkeeper's gloves and jersey.

However, Coventry continued to press after the restart and the lively McSheffrey curled a delightful free-kick narrowly wide.

With three goals in his last four matches the in-form McSheffrey was proving a constant menace to the Potters' backline and shortly before the hour mark he should have given Coventry the lead.

The Sky Blues striker embarked on a strong run which took him into the box and forced Brammer to bring him down.

The referee pointed immediately to the spot but McSheffrey could only dust himself down and fire in an effort which Simonsen repelled with a fine save.

Suitably inspired by Simonsen's heroics, Stoke began to display the type of solidity which has seen them establish one of the best defensive records in the Championship and steadfastly refused to buckle to Coventry's pessure.

Such was their commitment to the cause six Stoke players received a yellow card, while manager Tony Pulis brought on Michael Ricketts and Lewis Neal for the last 30 minutes in a bid to break the deadlock.

The ploy began to work as the momentum swung back in Stoke's favour with Lewis Buxton going close with a fierce long-range effort.

Hughes had remained largely unemployed in the home goal until Neal fired in a superb effort from 18 yards which forced the former Arsenal midfielder to tip the ball around the post in style.

Ricketts then headed Clive Clarke's cross wide before Hughes thwarted further efforts from Neal and Kevin Harper to ensure the game ended goalless.

Teams

Coventry: Bennett, Whing, Williams, Staunton, Duffy, Jorgensen, Doyle, Hughes, McSheffrey, Benjamin, John (Johnson 88).

Subs Not Used: Negouai, Adebola, Morrell, Osbourne.

Sent Off: Bennett (41).

Booked: Doyle.

Stoke: Simonsen, Buxton, Hill, Taggart, Clarke, Harper, Brammer, Russell, Greenacre (Neal 61), Noel-Williams, Jones (Ricketts 61), Ricketts (Gudjonsson 84).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Henry.

Booked: Jones, Hill, Russell, Brammer, Clarke, Buxton.

Att: 13,871

Ref: J Singh (Middlesex).