Much work lies ahead for Iain Dowie's successor at Coventry despite an improved performance in a goalless draw against Cardiff in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at the Ricoh Arena.

It was attritional at times as the two sides had to settle for a point which does little to enhance their respective relegation and promotion causes.

Coventry, withut a manager after sacking Dowie on Monday, shaded the first half while the Bluebirds edged it after the break.

Michael Mifsud and then Dan Fox went close with low efforts from outside the area either side of the half hour mark.

Paul Parry was denied by a goal-saving challenge from Isaac Osbourne at the start of the second half before the Wales international was later thwarted by Andy Marshall on two other occasions.

Frankie Bunn was placed in charge of first team affairs after Dowie was dismissed just a week short of what would have been his first anniversary at the helm.

He made five changes to the side that lost for the fifth time in six league matches at Preston, including recalling top scorer Mifsud and replacing Dimi Konstantopoulos in goal with Marshall.

But it was to little avail as the same old problems remained for the Sky Blues.

Chairman Ray Ranson stated that Dowie's coaching methods were too old fashioned and that a more 'progressive and modern approach' was needed.

On this showing, there is a lot to do for whoever succeeds him, with the team desperately short of confidence inside the final third of the pitch.

Goals have been a problem for Coventry all season - the Sky Blues have scored just 17 in 16 home games - and they lacked a creative edge once again.

The game started slowly and, a tame 20-yard effort from Cardiff's Peter Whittingham which was easily gathered by Marshall aside, the first real effort on goal did not arrive until the 27th minute.

Julian Gray slipped the ball down the left channel to Mifsud. The Malta international turned infield and arrowed towards the penalty area before hitting a 25-yard shot that was deflected narrowly wide.

Coventry came close again just after the half hour mark when Fox's low free-kick whistled inches past the post.

Parry's curling left-foot shot from the edge of the area which was easily smothered by Marshall was Cardiff's only effort of note during the first half.

The Bluebirds flew out of the blocks in the second half and Osbourne made a goal-saving challenge to deny Parry after Marshall had spilled Gavin Rae's shot from the edge of the box.

Marshall improvised well to repel a swerving Parry shot with his chest soon after.

Parry was denied again late on when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played him in late on.

Teams:

Coventry Marshall, Osbourne, Dann, Ward, Fox,Tabb (Andrews 80), Doyle, Michael Hughes, Gray (Davis 67),Mifsud (Simpson 59), Best.

Subs Not Used: Konstantopoulos, Hall.

Booked: Tabb, Best, Davis.

Cardiff Enckelman, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi,Whittingham (Brown 88), Ramsey, Rae, Ledley (McPhail 64),Parry, Hasselbaink (Thompson 77).

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.

Booked: Loovens, Hasselbaink.

Att: 15,260

Ref: Danny McDermid (Middlesex).