Dennis Wise scored one of the finest goals of his long career as Coventry came from behind to win at Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Hull.

The 39-year-old former England international drew the Sky Blues level shortly after the hour mark with a stunning overhead kick from 16 yards to cancel out Stuart Elliott's 31st-minute opener.

World Cup-bound Trinidad and Tobago international Stern John headed the winner with 18 minutes remaining to cap an impressive second-half fightback from Micky Adams' side.

However, it was Wise's typically all-action display which caught the eye throughout and incurred the wrath of home supporters.

He was booked during the first half and was perhaps lucky to escape a second yellow card, but at least proved he has not lost his stomach for a fight.

The much-travelled midfielder has joined the Sky Blues on a pay-per-play deal running until the end of the season following his departure from Southampton.

He returned to the starting line-up after being suspended for the 1-1 FA Cup fourth round draw with Middlesbrough last weekend.

It took Wise just five minutes to wind up rival players and supporters in equal measure with an untidy challenge on Hull striker Jon Parkin.

The foul earned Wise some stern words from Northamptonshire referee Andy Woolmer and he could consider himself fortunate to avoid a booking.

One minute later the Sky Blues had the first clear sight of goal when James Scowcroft volleyed wildly over when well placed on the edge of the hosts' box.

But Hull came close when Keith Andrews' whipped free-kick from the right was headed into Parkin's path just six yards from goal.

The powerful striker looked to have claimed his third goal in as many games following his £150,000 move from League Two outfit Macclesfield but Coventry goalkeeper Marton Fulop foiled him.

The Sky Blues then gained a strong foothold on the game and steadily forced Hull back deep inside their own half, with Gary McSheffrey seeing his shot blocked.

Wise was then booked for unsporting behaviour after 27 minutes before Hull tore upfield and opened the scoring against the run of play.

Neat approach play from Kevin Ellison culminated in the ball finding its way to Elliott on the left-hand edge of the penalty area and he steadied himself before firing home powerfully at Fulop's near post.

The Tigers continued to press and were desperately unlucky not to forge 2-0 ahead after Andrews' tremendous 25-yard volley crashed against the bar.

Coventry were level after 61 minutes when Wise produced an acrobatic overhead kick from 16 yards to silence the taunts from the home fans.

And they secured the points 11 minutes later when John rose at the near post to nod home a perfectly-flighted cross from the left by McSheffrey.

Hull continued to toil but failed to produce the quality required for an equaliser as Coventry held on for a hard-earned three points.

Hull Myhill, France, Cort, Collins, Delaney,Ellison (Paynter 77), Andrews, Welsh (Green 79), Elliott,Parkin, Duffy.

Subs Not Used: Leite, Wiseman, Fry.

Booked: Andrews, Ellison, Parkin, Paynter.

Goals: Elliott 31.

Coventry Fulop, Duffy (Heath 69), Williams, Page, Hall,Scowcroft, Doyle, Wise, McSheffrey (Morrell 90), Adebola,John (Hutchison 90).

Subs Not Used: Ince, Jorgensen.

Booked: Wise, Scowcroft, John.

Goals: Wise 61, John 72.

Att: 18,381

Ref: A Woolmer (Northamptonshire).