Misfiring Coventry broke their away duck in 2008 but still drew a blank as their clash with fellow Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Southampton finished 0-0.

Two teams staring uncomfortably over their shoulders at the drop zone played out a nervous encounter in freezing conditions on the south coast.

With City having lost their last eight games on the road and Saints on the back of a 5-0 drubbing at Hull, it was no surprise both sides were lacking in confidence.

Stern John, against his old club, and Vincent Pericard wasted rare chances for Southampton - while Michael Mifsud and ex-Saint Leon Best barely got a sniff at the other end.

After a wretched first half, the game improved - with goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Richard Wright making decent saves.

Wright, who joined Saints on loan from West Ham this week, made a jittery start with an unconvincing punch from Isaac Osbourne's cross - which was held up in the swirling wind.

Jason Euell spurned the hosts' first chance when Gregory Vignal's cross ricocheted into his path, the midfielder shooting wide from the edge of the City area.

John then attempted to get on the end of Jhon Viafara's chip into the box, but merely got clattered by Schmeichel for his troubles.

Pericard, making his home debut for Saints following his loan switch from Stoke, squandered Saints' best chance of the first half in the 26th minute when put through by Mario Licka only to blaze his shot over the bar.

Schmeichel was finally forced into a save in first-half stoppage time when John guided the ball goalwards from Viafara's cross.

The on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper was called into action shortly after the break, making a sharp stop low to his left from Licka's shot on the turn.

City finally mustered an effort on goal in the 54th minute, Mifsud jinking along the edge of the area and rifling a low shot which Wright dealt with at his near post.

Schmeichel was back in action five minutes later, keeping out John's far-post header with a star-jump save reminiscent of his father Peter.

Coventry left-back Dan Fox, this week called up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s squad, put a free-kick wide - before Wright showed the class which won him two international caps earlier in his career.

Dozy defending from Vignal and Darren Powell let in Osbourne, but the full-back's shot was acrobatically turned away by Wright.

Bradley Wright-Phillips came on as a substitute and found the net - but he was clearly offside.

The striker then hit Euell's cross straight at Schmeichel from point-blank range.

At the other end, Best missed his kick in front of goal - and Wright did well to keep out Julian Gray's follow-up.

Teams:

Southampton Richard Wright, Jermaine Wright, Thomas, Powell,Vignal, Viafara, Safri, Euell, Licka, John,Pericard (Wright-Phillips 70).

Subs Not Used: Davis, Hammill, Surman, Ostlund.

Coventry Schmeichel, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Doyle,Thornton (Gray 64), Stephen Hughes, Mifsud (Simpson 81), Best,Tabb.

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Borrowdale, Duffy.

Booked: Stephen Hughes, Best, Ward.

Att: 22,014

Ref: Clive Penton (Sussex).