Midfielder Jay Tabb got the goal which saw off nine-man Norwich and gave Coventry a welcome win.

Tabb struck in the sixth minute to give the shot-shy Sky Blues all three points against the Canaries, who had Gary Doherty and Darel Russell sent off for two bookable offences.

Coventry, who had scored only three times in their last six league outings, dominated from the start - and Daniel Fox forced a clearance from Mo Camara in the opening minute.

While Coleman stuck with his strike force of Michael Mifsud and Leon Best, it was Tabb who gave the Sky Blues an early lead after latching on to Michael Doyle's cross.

After that, it was one-way traffic as the home side continued to pepper the Norwich goal.

Best and Fox forced saves from Canaries goalkeeper David Marshall, while Kevin Thornton had two chances to increase the Sky Blues' lead.

His first chance to hit the post, and his second effort was blocked by Jason Shackell.

Frustrated by his side's lack of chances, Norwich manager Glenn Roeder made an early change.

After starting with Dion Dublin as a lone striker, Roeder switched back to a 4-4-2 formation - with forward Jamie Cureton replacing defender Camara.

The home side continued to make chances through Best and Fox. But Norwich were starting to find their feet, and Matthew Pattison saw one shot blocked by Isaac Osbourne - while another of his efforts forced a fine save from Andy Marshall.

Norwich looked as if they could pull themselves back into the game minutes after the break when Cureton forced a save from Marshall.

But things went from bad to worse for Norwich after 52 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men - Doherty dismissed for a second bookable offence after fouling Tabb.

Determined to get something from the game, Roeder threw on striker Ched Evans for Lee Croft.

The gamble did not pay off, though, and Coventry continued to push forward and dominate the game - with Doyle, Tabb, Mifsud and Thornton all going close.

With 20 minutes left, Norwich started to pick up their game.

Russell, who returned to the starting line-up after a three-match suspension, saw his shot blocked by Osbourne - and Cureton chanced his luck a couple of times all to no avail.

Any hopes of Norwich taking anything from the game were dashed six minutes from time, however, when they were reduced to nine men - Russell sent off for a second bookable offence on Tabb.

Mifsud almost added a second goal deep into injury time - but Alex Pearce came to the Canaries' rescue.

Teams:

Coventry Marshall, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Mifsud, Stephen Hughes, Doyle, Thornton, Tabb, Best (Simpson 87).

Subs Not Used: Ireland, Hall, Andrews, Gray.

Booked: Fox, Dann.

Goals: Tabb 6.

Norwich Marshall, Velasco (Pearce 21), Doherty, Shackell, Bertrand, Croft (Evans 61), Russell, Fotheringham, Pattison, Camara (Cureton 27), Dublin.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Gibbs.

Sent Off: Doherty (53), Russell (85).

Booked: Doherty, Bertrand, Russell, Fotheringham.

Att: 18,108