Gerald Sibon's brace virtually ensured First Division survival for Sheffield Wednesday as they came from behind to beat Coventry at Hillsborough.

The big Dutchman struck a goal in each half to seal a vital win for the Owls and move them six points clear of the relegation zone.

Wednesday enjoyed much the better of the game, with the Sky Blues lacking any creativity apart from a terrific Colin Healy strike which put the visitors in front.

If only Simon Donnelly had displayed the goalscoring acumen that served him so well at Millwall a fortnight ago, then Wednesday would have gone into the break with a well-deserved lead.

The Scotsman's best chance was the game's first of the night. A terrific cross by new loan signing Jon McCarthy fell to an unmarked Donnelly, but with just keeper Magnus Hedman to beat, he screwed his effort wide of the target.

It was then Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi's turn to fire wide when well placed.

Against the run of play, Coventry took a surprise lead after 20 minutes. From David Thompson's right-wing free-kick, Jay Bothroyd saw his header come back off the post.

The ball then eventually worked its way to Healy and after taking a stride he cracked a brilliant shot into the top corner.

Wednesday should have restored parity just four minutes later, but Donnelly wasted yet another glorious chance, heading well over from just 12 yards.

But it was the visitors who almost increased their lead, following some determined play from Lee Hughes.

After stealing the ball off David Burrows, he burst into the area only to be foiled by the legs of Kevin Pressman.

The ball fell kindly to Healy though, but his precise shot only found the left-hand upright.

Following another squandered Donnelly opportunity, the Owls finally drew level on the 40-minute mark.

It was Donnelly who swung a ball into the City area and Sibon, finding himself with all the time in the world, smashed his right-footed shot into the roof of the net.

Owls keeper Kevin Pressman gave his defence the jitters early in the second period.

Diving low to his right to keep out a David Thompson effort, he almost spilled the ball straight to the feet of the on-rushing Hughes, but quickly gathered the ball in to deny the ex-West Brom striker.

Eight minutes later and Wednesday were ahead. A ball in from the left resulted in a mass scramble in City's goal area.

With bodies diving in everywhere, the ball ricocheted to Sibon who gleefully rifled the ball home.

Hughes then saw his long-range effort tipped over the bar by Kevin Pressman as the visitors looked to hit straight back.

After a long period of inactivity, it was the home side who almost increased their lead.

First Shefki Kuqi was foiled by superbly by Magnus Hedman and from the resulting corner, Sibon was denied his hat-trick when his diving header was easily gathered by the big Swedish stopper.

Referee Eddie Wolstenholme then broke the visitors' hearts by not awarding a penalty when it looked like Hughes had been brought down by Kevin Pressman.

Ysrael Zuniga was also refused an appeal for a spot-kick.

Despite a late Coventry onslaught, Wednesday managed to hang onto their lead and ease their plight near the foot of the table.

Teams

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Haslam, Maddix, Broomes, Burrows, McCarthy, McLaren, Quinn, Donnelly (Gallacher 90), Sibon (Morrison 90), Kuqi.

Subs Not Used: Heald, Ekoku, Geary.

Goals: Sibon 40, 58.

Coventry: Hedman, Shaw, Carbonari, Quinn (Eustace 79), Breen, Safri, Healy, Trollope, Thompson (Chippo 61), Hughes, Bothroyd (Zuniga 68).

Subs Not Used: Hydlgaard, Konjic.

Booked: Thompson, Quinn, Trollope, Chippo.

Goals: Healy 21.

Att: 21,470

Ref: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).