A new year and new hope for Leeds as Jonathon Douglas' winning strike against Coventry breathed new life into their fight against relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship.

The midfielder chose the perfect moment to score his first goal of the season with a 53rd-minute strike which handed the fallen Premiership giants three precious points.

David Healy's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Adam Virgo on the stroke of half-time but Leeds showed impressive character to grind out victory.

It was a first win in eight games for Dennis Wise's men, who went into the game on the back of a disastrous seven-match sequence which yielded just two points.

With further additions set to be made to their squad during the transfer window, Leeds at least now have hope that relegation to the third tier for the first time in their history can be avoided.

They remain in deep trouble in the relegation zone but there was a resilience about Wise's men in the second half that should serve them well in the coming months.

The Leeds boss swung the axe in the wake of his side's recent run and most notable among his changes were the inclusion of Robbie Elliott and Neil Sullivan.

Elliott was handed a debut at left-back following his arrival from Sunderland while Sullivan returned in goal in place of Tony Warner.

A line-up which included Healy, Robbie Blake and Ian Moore offered Leeds plenty of attacking impetus and Coventry came under pressure from the first whistle.

In the second minute, Douglas dispossessed Marcus Hall and raced to the byline before cutting a dangerous low ball across the face of goal.

No Leeds player was on hand to profit but the breakthrough arrived with 15 minutes played.

An Eddie Lewis corner from the right was flicked on and found its way to the unmarked Healy at the far post.

The Ulsterman, who has been linked with a move to Barclays Premiership sides Charlton and Wigan, collected possession and cleverly engineered the space to rifle a low shot into the far corner.

It was Healy's first goal in seven games and just the start Leeds needed.

Coventry's first real attacking threat came in the 18th minute when Virgo fired into the side netting, but Leeds were largely dominant.

Shortly before the half hour mark Blake hit a delightful free-kick from 22 yards which bounced back off the crossbar.

Six minutes later, a sickening sense of deja vu engulfed Elland Road as Lewis produced an equally impressive free-kick which also smacked the crossbar.

Having rode their luck, Coventry were level two minutes before the break when Kevin Kyle hit a hopeful-looking cross into the box and Virgo arrived to sidefoot home from six yards.

However, Leeds responded in style by reclaiming the lead eight minutes after the restart following good work from Lewis.

The USA international carried the ball deep into Coventry's half and found Healy with a neat pass inside the 18-yard box.

Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall raced off his line to avert the danger but his parry fell straight to Douglas, who gleefully fired home the loose ball from 10 yards.

Coventry's response was impressive and they enjoyed spells of sustained pressure but substitute Dele Adebola spurned their best chance when he blazed wide from six yards in the 86th minute.

There was still time for Kyle to head against the post in the final minute but Leeds held on for victory.

Teams:

Leeds Sullivan, Richardson (Westlake 61), Foxe, Rui Marques,Robbie Elliott, Blake (Howson 75), Douglas, Nicholls, Lewis,Healy, Moore (Kandol 73).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Carole.

Booked: Nicholls, Douglas.

Goals: Healy 15, Douglas 53.

Coventry Marshall, Whing (Currie 68), Page, Ward, Hall,Birchall (McKenzie 55), Osbourne, Doyle, Tabb (Adebola 56),Virgo, Kyle.

Subs Not Used: John, Cameron.

Booked: Page, Whing, Kyle.

Goals: Virgo 43.

Att: 18,158

Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).