Richard Cresswell's second-half goal earned Sheffield United their first league win in six games as Coventry lost for the third game running.
The Blades dominated early on but only had two Darius Henderson headers to show for their superiority.
The winner came when Glenn Little's right-wing cross found Cresswell, who put it in the top corner from 12 yards.
Freddie Eastwood and Sammy Clingan went close for Coventry but failed to test Blades keeper Steve Simonsen.
Sheffield United assistant manager Sam Ellis: "Every win is a much-needed win but I thought that one was well deserved.
"We are determined for the campaign not to simply peter out because that wouldn't be the right thing to do.
"But we've got some good characters here, people who approach their profession in the right manner, and they know that isn't an option."
Coventry manager Chris Coleman: "I was pleased with the boys' application and attitude but you can see why were are falling a little bit short at the moment.
"It's a confidence thing. That was a bitty game and the type of one which, when we were flying a couple of weeks ago, we'd have probably got something from that.
"But we didn't and we probably need one more result to be safe. A blanket has been thrown over our season but we've got to keep battling on."
53:35 Effort on goal by Glen Little from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
52:34 A cross is delivered by David Bell, Nick Montgomery manages to make a clearance.
52:24 The ball is sent over by David Bell, Andy Taylor manages to make a clearance.
52:20 Freddie Sears produces a cross.
50:10 Outswinging corner taken by Sammy Clingan, clearance by Nyron Nosworthy.
50:04 The ball is crossed by David Bell, Andy Taylor gets a block in.
49:03 Shot by Stephen Quinn from 18 yards. Blocked by Leon Barnett.
48:50 Glen Little sends in a cross, Leon Barnett manages to make a clearance.
48:06 The ball is crossed by Glen Little, Stephen Wright makes a clearance.
46:06 Assist on the goal came from Glen Little.
46:06 GOAL - Richard Cresswell:Sheff Utd 1 - 0 Coventry A goal is scored by Richard Cresswell from inside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Sheff Utd 1-0 Coventry.
45:38 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Harper by Aron Gunnarsson. Direct free kick taken by James Harper.
45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.
Half Time
45:00+2:24 The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00+2:00 A cross is delivered by Stephen Quinn, Richard Wood manages to make a clearance.
45:00+0:57 Stephen Quinn has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
44:56 The assistant referee flags for offside against Richard Cresswell. Free kick taken by Keiren Westwood.
43:39 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Glen Little from the right by-line, Chris Morgan takes a shot. Keiren Westwood makes a comfortable save.
43:32 The ball is crossed by Andy Taylor, clearance made by Martin Cranie.
43:11 Sammy Clingan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nick Montgomery. Free kick taken by Paul Connolly.
42:24 Close range shot by Darius Henderson misses to the left of the goal.
42:05 The ball is sent over by Stephen Quinn, Darius Henderson takes a shot. Leon Barnett gets a block in.
41:36 The ball is crossed by Nick Montgomery, David Bell makes a clearance.
40:54 Shot by Freddie Sears from 12 yards. Save made by Steve Simonsen.
40:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aron Gunnarsson by Darius Henderson. Keiren Westwood takes the direct free kick.
36:59 Shot from just outside the box by Darius Henderson goes over the target.
36:23 Glen Little sends in a cross, clearance by Stephen Wright.
35:36 The ball is swung over by David Bell, Paul Connolly makes a clearance.
35:11 Andy Taylor takes a shot. Save made by Keiren Westwood.
34:06 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Glen Little, Richard Cresswell takes a shot. Save made by Keiren Westwood.
33:59 The ball is delivered by Glen Little, Martin Cranie gets a block in.
31:12 The ball is crossed by Andy Taylor, Martin Cranie makes a clearance.
30:25 Clinton Morrison takes a shot. Steve Simonsen makes a comfortable save.
29:51 Foul by Nick Montgomery on Carl Baker, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Richard Wood.
28:38 Foul by Stephen Quinn on David Bell, free kick awarded. Sammy Clingan crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Nyron Nosworthy.
28:27 Carl Baker crosses the ball, Nyron Nosworthy manages to make a clearance.
27:47 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Sammy Clingan, clearance by Darius Henderson.
27:41 Sammy Clingan produces a cross, clearance by Chris Morgan.
27:15 Sammy Clingan takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Richard Cresswell.
27:08 David Bell produces a cross, Nyron Nosworthy makes a clearance.
26:32 Richard Cresswell is caught offside. Keiren Westwood restarts play with the free kick.
26:27 Andy Taylor delivers the ball.
26:02 The ball is sent over by Nick Montgomery, Richard Wood makes a clearance.
25:36 Glen Little takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Martin Cranie.
25:31 Glen Little crosses the ball, clearance by Stephen Wright.
23:46 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Sammy Clingan, clearance made by Andy Taylor.
22:00 Corner taken by Glen Little, Stephen Quinn concedes a free kick for a foul on Keiren Westwood. Keiren Westwood takes the free kick.
21:43 Glen Little takes a shot. Blocked by Leon Barnett.
21:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sammy Clingan by Nick Montgomery. Keiren Westwood restarts play with the free kick.
15:50 Nick Montgomery challenges Martin Cranie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Keiren Westwood.
15:15 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Bell on Stephen Quinn. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Glen Little, clearance by Richard Wood.
14:52 Freddie Sears handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Direct free kick taken by James Harper.
14:25 Richard Cresswell crosses the ball, Richard Wood gets a block in.
13:15 A cross is delivered by Glen Little, Darius Henderson takes a shot. Save by Keiren Westwood.
10:28 Aron Gunnarsson fouled by Darius Henderson, the ref awards a free kick. Keiren Westwood takes the free kick.
9:23 Andy Taylor challenges Clinton Morrison unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sammy Clingan restarts play with the free kick.
8:52 Headed effort from inside the box by Darius Henderson misses to the right of the target.
8:28 Leon Barnett concedes a free kick for a foul on Darius Henderson. Glen Little restarts play with the free kick.
8:04 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Steve Simonsen.
7:59 David Bell delivers the ball.
5:43 A cross is delivered by David Bell, save by Steve Simonsen.
3:31 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Quinn by Stephen Wright. Glen Little delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, save by Keiren Westwood.
2:27 Paul Connolly delivers the ball, clearance by Richard Wood.
2:08 Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Cranie on Paul Connolly. Direct free kick taken by James Harper.
0:00 The game kicks-off.
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