Chris Wood wasted a late chance as West Brom and Coventry played out a lifeless derby that never seriously threatened to find a winner and subsequently cost Albion their place at the summit of the Championship table.

Throughout the 90 minutes, the clash lacked the quality you would expect from the division's top side and was even devout of the frenetic energy and atmosphere you would expect from two local teams coming together.

The last six encounters between these two sides had provided a total of 24 goals but there was very little for the 20,871 crowd at the Ricoh Arena to get excited about this time around.

The game's single real talking point came in first-half stoppage time when Jerome Thomas appeared to be tripped in the penalty area by Martin Cranie but referee Keith Stroud opted instead to book the Albion winger for diving.

The goalless scoreline means Roberto Di Matteo's side have now won just one of their last six while Coventry, who kept their first clean sheet in 11 games, have tasted success just once in their last seven.

With both sides getting the feel of each other during the early stages, Coventry's injury curse struck again after just 10 minutes.

Already missing joint-top goalscorer Leon Best and influential midfielders Aron Gunnarsson and Sammy Clingan, goalkeeper Keiren Westwood was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle strain.

Half-chances came on occasion during the opening quarter but, on the whole, it was a start with nothing to write home about.

Substitute keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos stood up well to keep out Thomas' near-post effort, and it was the Greek stopper who was again called upon to make the first real save of the match in the 37th minute.

His poor punch fell to Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans who lashed a half-volley goalwards, but Konstantopoulos had returned to his feet in time to get his body behind the ball.

The league leaders were soon enjoying a spell of pressure aided by some neat approach play as the half drew to a close.

And Konstantopoulos was again called into action although he could consider himself fortunate as Thomas' lashed effort bounced off his shoulder and narrowly wide.

And the half's biggest moment of controversy came deep into injury time when Thomas was adjudged to have dived under what appeared to be a trip by Sky Blues right-back Cranie.

The second half started in much the same fashion as the opening 45 minutes, with plenty of endeavour but devout of any real quality.

Both sides were huffing and puffing in the middle of the park but neither keeper was being forced to deal with anything other than the occasional back pass.

Both managers made changes as the final 20 minutes approached in a bid to turn one point into three.

Albion striker Luke Moore then came agonisingly close to connecting with Phillipe Teixeira's deflected effort in the 73rd minute.

And Wood was presented with a great chance late on but, having been put clean through, he could only fire straight at Konstantopoulos.

Teams

Coventry Westwood (Konstantopoulos 10), Cranie, Wright,Turner, Clarke (Bell 69), McIndoe, Osbourne, Cork, Van Aanholt,Eastwood (Madine 90), Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Hussey, Cain, Grandison.

Booked: Van Aanholt, Osbourne, Cork.

West Brom Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Mattock,Thomas (Cech 83), Mulumbu, Jara, Koren (Teixeira 68), Dorrans,Moore (Wood 84).

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Reid, Martis, Cox.

Booked: Thomas, Moore, Jara.

Att: 20,871

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).