Lawrence came on to reclaim Championship top spot for Stoke

Stoke moved back to the top of the Championship thanks to Liam Lawrence's winner as the Potters came from behind to beat relegation-threatened Coventry.

Elliott Ward put the Sky Blues ahead, coolly converting a penalty after Carl Dickinson had upended Kevin Thornton.

Ricardo Fuller levelled from the spot in the 55th minute after a weaving run from Stoke's top scorer was halted.

And Stoke's growing pressure was rewarded on 79 minutes when Lawrence neatly curled home with his left foot.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman:
"The only way I can describe it is we choked in the second half.

"I told them at half-time we can't sit on the lead, but we stopped doing what we had been doing and the players started to wish their lives away.

"I think it is panic and the fear factor. But the positive is we are still not in the bottom three."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis on Lawrence:
"He was fantastic, but I wasn't sure we should take the chance with his groin injury.

"The physio didn't want him on the bench because of his sore groin but he wanted to be involved so we put him on.

"It was a great finish for the goal and he is a massive player for us."

Coventry: Schmeichel, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Doyle, Thornton, Mifsud (Hines 84), Best (Simpson 85).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Hall, Gray.

Booked: Dann, Doyle.

Goals: Ward 31 pen.

Stoke: Nash, Griffin (Shawcross 40), Riggott, Cort, Dickinson, Cresswell, Pugh, Delap, Pearson (Lawrence 67), Fuller, Ameobi (Sidibe 25).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Bothroyd. Booked: Delap, Lawrence.

Goals: Fuller 55 pen, Lawrence 79.

Att: 20,249

Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).