Gary McSheffrey's penalty gave Coventry an unlikely Nationwide Division One victory after they were forced to play almost the entire game with 10 men.

Peter Clarke was dismissed after just three minutes for an ugly lunge on John Robinson, but the numbers were level midway through the second half when Cardiff goalkeeper Martyn Margetson was dismissed after hauling down Julian Joachim inside the penalty area.

From the resultant penalty, McSheffrey sent substitute goalkeeper Neil Alexander the wrong way for what proved to be the game's decisive goal.

Cardiff failed to take advantage of their first-half dominance, when Graham Kavanagh's penalty was brilliantly saved by Scott Shearer shortly before the half hour.

Whatever pre-match plans Coventry manager Eric Black had in mind were thrown out of the window almost immediately after Clarke's moment of madness.

The defender was making only his third start for the Sky Blues since joining on loan from Barclaycard Premiership Everton.

Faced with playing 87 minutes with a numerical disadvantage, Black pulled McSheffrey back into midfield and left Joachim to plough a loan furrow in attack.

Cardiff failed to make the most of their advantage in the early stages, and it was not until Gareth Whalley's cross found the head of Alan Lee that Shearer's goal came under threat.

The former Rotherham striker made good contact but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.

Coventry's attacking threat was largely limited to shots from distance, with Stephen Warnock stinging the palms of Margetson with one crisp effort.

As half-time approached Cardiff began to pick holes in Coventry's stretched defence, with leading scorer Robert Earnshaw increasingly dangerous.

The Wales international forced Shearer into an acrobatic save with a fierce strike from 30 yards, before his pace created Cardiff's best opportunity of the night.

After Earnshaw's lively run into the penalty area was ended by Calum Davenport's lunge, referee Paul Armstrong had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Kavanagh's low spot-kick was well struck but Shearer dived full length to push his effort against the inside of the post.

Coventry started the stronger after the break, with Joachim's tearaway pace causing real difficulties for the home defence.

Indeed, Joachim's ability to run at defenders created the breakthrough, with Margetson's clumsy challenge leaving the referee with little option.

Cardiff rallied after that setback, but Earnshaw's volley over the bar was the closest they came to an equaliser.

Teams:

Cardiff Margetson, Croft (Langley 57), Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Robinson (Campbell 75), Kavanagh (Alexander 69), Whalley, Parry, Lee, Earnshaw.

Subs Not Used: Prior, Bowen.

Sent Off: Margetson (68).

Booked: Croft, Vidmar.

Coventry Shearer, Deloumeaux, Clarke, Staunton, Davenport, Grainger, Doyle, Warnock, Gudjonsson (Pead 86), McSheffrey, Joachim (Adebola 90).

Subs Not Used: Ward, Konjic, Shaw.

Sent Off: Clarke (3).

Booked: Warnock.

Goals: McSheffrey 71 pen.

Att: 14,376

Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).