Stern John and Gary McSheffrey provided the goals as Coventry repelled a Sheffield Wednesday fightback to return to winning ways in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at the Ricoh Arena.

John struck from close range to convert Dennis Wise's left-wing cross on the stroke of half-time for the 50th League goal of his career.

Wise was again provider, winning a free-kick which he took himself, quickly threading the ball in behind a disorganised Wednesday defence for McSheffrey to convert for his 13th goal of the season in the 76th minute.

However, the two-goal cushion was halved just three minutes later when Chris Brunt drilled a 20-yard free-kick into the top left of the goal to set up a thrilling finish.

The hosts were looking to return to the form that saw them claim three consecutive victories prior to Saturday's crushing 4-0 defeat by Watford at Vicarage Road.

They signalled their attacking intentions with John and fellow striker Andy Morrell in the starting line-up while midfielder Don Hutchison was relegated to the bench.

Richard Shaw was ruled out with a neck injury so Matt Heath deputised.

Wednesday, meanwhile, started just one place above the drop zone needing to put some daylight between themselves and third-bottom Brighton.

Frank Simek and Steven MacLean replaced the injured Deon Burton and Richard Wood.

It was the visitors who showed first with Andrew Whing clearing Lee Bullen's 18-yard volley from Burton O'Brien's cross in the first minute.

The hosts dominated possession but did not threaten until the quarter hour when Owls goalkeeper Chris Adamson tipped over Wise's 25-yard shot.

MacLean responded with a long-range shot for Wednesday before Bullen failed to hit the target from six yards as the Owls started to come back into it.

The Sky Blues had not managed to convert their possession into goals although Adamson was called on to repel efforts from John and Dele Adebola before John scored, although Ady Williams was called on to block Barry Corr's close-range shot.

Wednesday started the second half on the attack and City 'keeper Marton Fulop had to be aware to save Brunt's 18-yard shot with his feet.

Wise was constantly in the thick of the action, putting in a cross for Adebola but attempts by O'Brien and MacLean hinted the Owls were going to offer more of an attacking threat.

However, with the threat failing to materialise, McSheffrey extended the hosts' lead before Brunt pulled one back and it was Wednesday's turn to dominate.

The Owls, however, were unable to create any clear-cut chances and the hosts could have stretched their lead but Whing's shot was always rising.

The visitors could not force their way back into the game and the victory took Coventry up to 11th in the table.

Teams

Coventry Fulop, Heath, Page, Williams, Whing,Morrell (Jorgensen 75), Doyle, Wise, McSheffrey,John (Hutchison 84), Adebola.

Subs Not Used: Ince, Thornton, Lynch.

Booked: Page, Wise.

Goals: John 45, McSheffrey 76.

Sheff Wed Adamson, Bullen, Coughlan, Diallo (Brunt 36),Gilbert, Simek, Folly (Partridge 74), Whelan, O'Brien, MacLean,Corr (Best 56).

Subs Not Used: Kirby, Tudgay.

Booked: Whelan.

Goals: Brunt 79.

Att: 20,021

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).