A controversial late penalty from David Healy gave Leeds a share of the points after Coventry-born striker Gary McSheffrey had scored his 50th goal for his hometown club at the Ricoh Arena.

Leeds were handed the chance to keep their automatic promotion aspirations alive when Andrew Whing was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box in the 87th minute.

Northern Ireland international Healy drilled the ball low into the bottom corner past Marton Fulop for his 12th goal of the season to further close the gap on second-placed Sheffield United.

Earlier, McSheffrey had reached his landmark but he had strike partner Dele Adebola to thank for laying on his 14th goal of the season.

Adebola held off three Leeds defenders inside the penalty area before a deft flick with the outside of his foot let in McSheffrey who squeezed his low shot inside the post after 26 minutes.

A tentative encounter sprang into life after 10 minutes when Coventry midfielder Don Hutchison - back in the side for the suspended Dennis Wise who picked up his 10th booking of the season in last week's 2-0 win over Sheffield United - surrendered possession inside the Leeds half.

Robbie Blake picked up the loose ball and launched a swift counter-attack that culminated in Rob Hulse flashing a fierce angled drive narrowly wide of the near post with Sky Blues goalkeeper Fulop beaten.

Coventry's first real chance fell to McSheffrey who warmed the palms of Neil Sullivan with a well-struck effort from the edge of the area in the 17th minute.

Micky Adams' men began to take charge of proceedings and a period of sustained pressure was almost rewarded in spectacular fashion when Adebola's overhead kick was headed off the line by Matt Kilgallon midway through the first half.

However, it was not long before the Sky Blues did make the breakthrough when McSheffrey rounded off a good piece of work by Adebola.

The goal spurred Leeds into life and Kevin Blackwell's side went close to equalising almost immediately when Jonathon Douglas broke clear inside the area, but Fulop was quickly off his line to block with his legs.

Douglas then headed over the crossbar on the half hour before Hulse sent a curling shot past the post soon after.

McSheffrey failed to cap a jinking run with his and Coventry's second in the 35th minute when he fired wide of the target after weaving his way past three Leeds defenders.

But Leeds always looked dangerous on the break and on-loan Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller twice went close to pulling Leeds level either side of the hour, but missed the target on both occasions.

Substitute Healy, on as a 61st-minute replacement for Blake, should have done better from the angle of the six-yard box when drilled a shot into the midriff of Fulop soon after.

Leeds continued to apply the pressure and desperately searched for the equaliser, which was presented to them at the death in the shape of the spot-kick and Healy duly obliged from 12 yards.

Teams

Coventry Fulop, Whing, Page, Shaw, Hall, Scowcroft, Hutchison,Doyle (Thornton 84), McSheffrey (Impey 79), John, Adebola.

Subs Not Used: Ince, Williams, Morrell.

Booked: McSheffrey, Hutchison, Page.

Goals: McSheffrey 26.

Leeds Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey,Douglas (Moore 74), Derry, Miller, Blake (Healy 61), Hulse,Lewis.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Einarsson, Bakke.

Goals: Healy 88 pen.

Att: 26,643

Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).