Image source, Rex Features

That wraps up a decent Sunday lunchtime scrap.

Somehow, in a highly competitive contest, there was only one booking.

There was only one goal too. Matt Godden's second-minute strike - his 14th of the season - proved the matchwinner,

And that left Coventry top of League One (see Michael Beardmore's match report).

With still two months of the season to go, and only nine points separating the top eight, there is still a lot to play for in an increasingly frantic race to reach the Championship.

But, from two camps of contrasting emotions at St Andrew's, it's goodbye for now.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, BBC Sport

This is how the League One table now looks.

In a season where seven different teams have led the third-tier table, Coventry are back to where they last were in September. And with a game in hand over previous leaders Rotherham United too.

Mark Robins' men now face a tough test next Saturday away to another former top-flight side, Paul Lambert's seemingly-fading Ipswich Town.

Fifth-placed Sunderland's next game is the same day, 7 March, at home to Gillingham.

Matt Godden told Sky Sports: "It was always going to be tight, probably one goal either way.

"We got the goal early and managed to hold on."

After getting his fourth goal in five games, the in-form Godden added: "That's what we're like as strikers. When you get one goal, then others follow."

Game over. Coventry win.

Mark Robins' Sky Blues are top of League One again.

The strains of the Sky Blues song ring out round St Andrew's as the game enters the third minute of time added on.

The home fans believe the job is done.

Just a few more anxious minutes for home fans.

Sunderland have had their moments - but time is running out for them.

And Coventry have defended heroically at times.

A fifth clean sheet in nine games - and a 10th win in 12 - awaits.

Sunderland's hunger for an equaliser is increasing with every passing second as the time starts to tick away.

That leaves them open at the back - and scorer Matt Godden goes so close to grabbing a killer second, but his left-foot shot on a quick break goes just wide.

Today's attendance at St Andrew's is 10,055.

It's the first time Coventry have reached five figures in a league game at their latest temporary home, although there were more than double that number here for the original FA Cup fourth-round tie with landlords Birmingham City, which was the Sky Blues' 'home game'.

This afternoon's gate tops this term's previous league best of 8,990, who were here on Tuesday night for the visit of Rotherham. But this time the Railway Stand at Birmingham has been swelled by 3,323 noisy visiting supporters.

Sky Blues skipper Liam Kelly shoots high and wide again, on the turn this time.

Thankfully his team-mate Matt Godden from a similar position earlier - and that early goal remains the difference between the two sides.

An hour gone - and still so little in this.

A competitive tussle that could go either way.

Walsall old boy George Dobson - back in the West Midlands - is the latest to go close for Sunderland with a shot which deflected wide for a corner off Kyle McFadzean.

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Midfielder Liam Kelly has not scored for Coventry in 73 appearances since April 2018 - and you can see why too after his loose early second-half finish, blazing high and wide from a right-wing corner.

Paul: Every game the Sky Blues stay near the top it gets a little harder to stop the voice saying "well, why CAN'T it be us?".

A win today and that voice will go from a whisper to, well, not a shout but definitely much louder.

Lesley Keech: Delighted to see Matty Godden doing well. Loved him at Stevenage, felt he never got the service he needed to show what he could do.

Coventry have claims for an early second-half penalty for Sky Blues old boy Jordan Willis's challenge on home captain Liam Kelly.

City fans also shouted for a ridiculous handball claim late in the first half.

The case for this one was a bit more compelling - an obvious shove in the back. You've seen them given.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Godden's early opener has given Coventry boss Mark Robins plenty of reason to smile this Sunday lunchtime.

But Sunderland had their own chances in the first half so the Sky Blues will have to remain on their toes if they are to seal the win that will take them back to the summit of League One.

The second half has just got under way.

The Championship is the aim for both Coventry and Sunderland this season - and Saturday produced another afternoon of thrills and spills in the second tier.

Leeds continued their resurgence by walloping Hull while there was a surprise loss for leaders West Bromwich Albion at home to Wigan.

Check out all the latest Championship action here.

The first-half numbers show just how tight it has been.

Level on possession and shots attempted, although Coventry have had more on target, including the strike that currently divides the teams...

Image source, BBC Sport

It has been competitive at St Andrew's. Possibly at times a little too competitive.

But, on the basis of what we have seen in the first half, there will not be many who won't be looking forward to the second half.

Image source, Getty Images

In real terms, the two teams are separated only by Matt Godden's second-minute goal. And that would be enough to earn top spot for Mark Robins' side - for the first time since September.

But Sunderland look full of menace. And they have already once come from 1-0 down against Coventry to nick a point this season - back on 23 November. So do not write them off.

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As usual, there was plenty to talk about in the Football League on Saturday, not least an inimitable striker breaking a League One club's all-time scoring record.

Read about that and a number of other things you might have missed here.

The head-strapped Callum O'Hare fires disappointingly wide for Coventry - with what proves the final serious effort of the half.

Sunderland have largely carried the greater threat - but it is Mark Robins' City who go in at the break in front thanks to Matt Godden's early strike.