Goals from Darren Byfield and Marvin Elliott helped Bristol City secure a fourth straight home league win. Good work by David Noble on the left wing allowed Byfield to score from 18 yards in the fifth minute.
And just after the hour Elliott rose unmarked in a crowded penalty to head Jamie McCombe's corner past goalkeeper Andy Marshall.
Dele Adebola halved the deficit from close range and Leon Best nearly levelled but his effort hit the post.
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson:
"We are delighted to now be one of the three clubs vying for top spot. "But that won't stop me trying to bring in some new faces.
"We know what we want and what is out there, but I can't be firm on any deals as yet."
Coventry City boss Iain Dowie on Best's late miss:
"We missed a lot of chances even before that one at the end and should have come away with something. "Credit Bristol because they deserve to be where they are and Gary Johnson is doing a fantastic job.
"I hope we can bring in some signings during the transfer window. But a lot of Championship clubs are ready to spend big money and it's not easy to bring in the right faces.
"One thing we must do is stop conceding outrageously sloppy goals."
Bristol City: Basso, Orr, McCombe, Vasko, McAllister, Brian Wilson, Johnson, Elliott, Sproule (Fontaine 88), Noble (Showunmi 79), Byfield (Trundle 79).
Subs Not Used: Murray, Weale.
Booked: Vasko.
Goals: Byfield 5, Elliott 67.
Coventry: Marshall, Osbourne (Ward 46), De Zeeuw, Turner, Borrowdale, Simpson (Tabb 60), Doyle, Michael Hughes, Mifsud (Thornton 71), Adebola, Best.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Simmonds.
Booked: Mifsud
Goals: Adebola 72.
Att: 15,899
Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).
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Interview: Bristol City manager Gary Johnson
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