Coventry performed a smash-and-grab raid to run out 1-0 winners at Stoke despite being outplayed and outclassed for much of the game.

Dele Adebola's goal five minutes from time handed the Sky Blues three points they barely deserved after the home side had dominated for large spells at the Britannia Stadium.

The defeat was Stoke's third on the trot, while Coventry's unbeaten run extends to four matches as they continue their march up the Coca-Cola Championship table.

With both sides guaranteed Championship status next season and with nothing but pride to play for in their remaining games, Stoke appeared to revel in the end-of-term atmosphere and nearly broke the deadlock in the sixth minute when Dave Brammer forced a good save from Sky Blues keeper Marton Fulop while promising youngster Adam Rooney stung the hands of the goalkeeper soon after.

Coventry countered through dangerman Gary McSheffrey but his close-range effort was caught by Steve Simonsen.

But the Potters continued to create the better of the chances as Michael Duberry fired wide from a corner in the 25th minute.

The home side were starting to impose themselves on the game and Mamady Sidibe fired in a left-footed strike from range which was blocked by Marcus Hall.

Darel Russell also tried his luck from distance as the Potters continued to press but his shot was too high, sailing over Fulop's crossbar as the sides went into the break all square.

The home side continued to dominate in the second period with Carl Dickinson the latest Stoke player to threaten the visitors' goal, firing just wide of the upright.

And 60 seconds later it was Paul Gallagher's turn to squander a decent chance when he cleared the crossbar with a deft lob when clean through on goal.

The game turned in the favour of the visitors as the game entered the final 15 minutes, however, with Stoke's players appearing jaded from their fruitless efforts to unlock the visiting defence.

Kevin Thornton went close for Coventry after 76 minutes, drilling in left-footed from right channel which was well blocked by Duberry.

Thornton, the 19-year-old Irishman who signed a new two-year contract on Friday, again came close just three minutes later, creating space for himself just inside the Stoke box only to slice his effort wide of Simonsen's right-hand upright.

And the winning goal came in the 85th minute with Adebola firing in a left-footed drive from 12 yards after great approach play from the inventive Thornton.

Teams:

Stoke Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Hill, Dickinson,Paterson (Hazley 68), Russell, Brammer (Henry 45), Gallagher,Sidibe, Rooney.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Kopteff, Broomes.

Booked: Brammer.

Coventry Fulop, Whing, Heath, Hall, Giddings, Thornton,Hughes, Doyle, McSheffrey (Morrell 80), Hutchison (Adebola 64),John (Turner 89).

Subs Not Used: Osbourne, Williams.

Goals: Adebola 85.

Att: 13,385

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).