Defender Ian Cox was the Gillingham hero after he scored two goals in two minutes at the start of the second half to help his side to victory against Coventry.

Sky Blues goalkeeper Luke Steele endured a miserable afternoon as he gifted Darren Byfield his sixth goal of the season when he allowed a weak shot to squirm underneath his body and into the net.

Dele Adebola equalised with a powerful header before the break, but Steele was again at fault for Cox's first when he misjudged the flight of a Nicky Southall corner.

Cox volleyed a third from the Gills' next attack to seal the points for Stan Ternent's side.

Gillingham were without on-loan goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, who was recalled by Norwich, while Chris Hope was sidelined by an ankle injury. Steve Banks and Cox came in.

Coventry manager Peter Reid made five changes to the side beaten 2-1 at home by Sheffield United on Boxing Day, with Richard Shaw, Neil Wood, Eddie Johnson, Steve Staunton and Graham Barrett coming in.

The home side were gifted the lead from their first noteworthy chance in the 15th minute.

Stephen Hughes was dispossessed in midfield by Byfield, with the striker advancing towards goal. He hit a tame shot which should have been comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Steele.

However, the on-loan Manchester United youngster allowed the ball to wriggle from his grasp and under his body, with the ball trickling over the line.

Andrew Crofts sent a header over the crossbar as the Gills went in search of a second, but they were almost caught out from Coventry's next attack.

Wood found space in the area, but dragged his shot wide from six yards out.

The Sky Blues were beginning to look more threatening, and grabbed an equaliser shortly afterwards.

McSheffrey raced down the left-hand side and sent over a hanging cross which Adebola powered home for his second Coventry goal of the season.

Gillingham started the second half in fine style, racing into a two-goal lead with a brace from an unlikely source.

A Southall corner was misjudged by Steele and, after Byfield poked the ball goalwards, Cox made sure, tapping over the line.

Defender Cox made it three just 60 seconds later from another set-piece. Southall's free-kick eluded everybody and landed kindly at the feet of the centre-back, who volleyed the ball low and hard past Steele.

Coventry were stunned and the home side continued to pile forward.

Alan Pouton forced a fine save from Steele with a well-struck shot from just inside the area, before the keeper was called into action again to palm away a Byfield effort.

Nyron Nosworthy had the best chance to grab a fourth, but the full-back managed to scoop the ball over the crossbar from close in.

Teams:

Gillingham Banks, Nosworthy, Ashby, Cox, Hills, Southall, Smith, Pouton, Crofts, Byfield, Sidibe (Henderson 80).

Subs Not Used: Bossu, Hessenthaler, Roberts, Jarvis.

Booked: Ashby, Byfield, Pouton.

Goals: Byfield 15, Cox 48, 49.

Coventry Steele, Carey, Williams, Shaw, Staunton, Barrett (John 45), Wood (Doyle 78), Hughes, McSheffrey, Adebola, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Shearer, Giddings, Laville.

Booked: Shaw, Williams.

Goals: Adebola 37.

Att: 8,734

Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).