Coventry recorded their biggest win under Iain Dowie as Barnsley slipped back towards the Coca-Cola Championship drop zone courtesy of a 4-1 scoreline at the Ricoh Arena.

Managing director Paul Fletcher used a wedding analogy to give an update on the proposed takeover at the club this week in which he said: "We are up the aisle and at the alter but we have yet to exchange vows."

But as far as things go on the pitch, the honeymoon continued for Dowie as he saw his side stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

Jay Tabb took advantage of the time and space afforded to him by the Barnsley backline by opening the scoring from just outside the box in the 27th minute.

The free summer signing from League One side Brentford had failed to find the net prior to Dowie's arrival but this was his second in six games under the new boss.

Five minutes later City doubled their lead when Michael Mifsud, who was so impressive in the 2-1 win against midlands rivals Wolves in midweek, grabbed his first Ricoh Arena goal for the club.

Marcus Hall broke free down the left and cut the ball back from the byline for the Malta international to steer home from close range.

Mifsud then turned provider by crossing from the right of the area for Dele Adebola to drill into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Adebola grabbed his second of the game five minutes into the second half when, following a long punt forward from Colin Hawkins, the Nigerian out-muscled two Barnsley defenders to get into a position where he was able to notch his ninth goal of the season.

Bobby Hassell headed home Daniel Nardiello's cross in the 79th-minute but it was mere consolation for the Tykes.

Isaac Osbourne tested Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan early on with a shot from the edge of the area before Mifsud hit the crossbar with a curling left-footed effort in the 12th-minute.

Barnsley responded immediately by hitting the crossbar themselves through Sam Togwell's 18-yard shot.

Coventry hit their hosts with three goals in a devastating 11-minute spell prior to the break before Adebola compounded Barnsley's misery after the restart.

Barnsley boss Simon Davey immediately made a double substitution bringing on Kyel Reid and Bobby Hassell for Martin Devaney and Neil Austin before making his final change just before the hour when top scorer Brian Howard was replaced by Nardiello.

In between the Tykes had Colgan to thank for keeping the score respectable when he blocked a fiercely-struck shot from Michael Doyle.

At the other end Andy Marshall produced a fine one-handed save to tip Istvan Ferenczi's shot around the post when he was called into action for the first time in the 61st-minute.

There was little Marshall could do to keep out Hassell's header but no dramatic comeback was forthcoming and Coventry completed the league double over the Tykes.

Teams:

Coventry Marshall, Virgo, Hawkins, Ward, Hall,Osbourne (Birchall 72), Hughes, Doyle, Tabb (McKenzie 76),Adebola, Mifsud (Cameron 86).

Subs Not Used: Steele, Page.

Goals: Tabb 27, Mifsud 32, Adebola 38, 50.

Barnsley Colgan, Austin (Hassell 52), Paul Reid, Nyatanga,Heckingbottom, Togwell, Howard (Nardiello 59), McCann,Ferenczi, Rajczi, Devaney (Kyel Reid 52).

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Eckersley.

Booked: Rajczi.

Goals: Hassell 79.

Att: 21,609

Ref: M Russell (Hertfordshire).