Coventry came from behind to ensure that Gary McAllister's managerial career started with a win.

Carl Asaba had given Sheffield United the lead after 13 minutes.

But Jay Bothroyd and substitute Gary McSheffrey scored for the Sky Blues before half-time.

Asaba had given the visitors the lead with an excellent goal, turning brilliantly just outside the penalty area before firing across Morten Hyldgaard into the far corner of the net.

Coventry suffered a further setback when Laurent Delorge was forced off - but it served merely to hasten the arrival of McSheffrey and intensify the push for an equaliser.

The hosts restored parity when Bothroyd's header from a McAllister corner was adjudged to have crossed the line following a goalmouth scramble.

Fierce strike

Player-boss McAllister was instrumental in Coventry's dominance of the opening period, with his near-post deliveries causing the Blades backline particular concern.

And the pressure told after 40 minutes, McSheffrey beating Steve Yates before unleashing a fierce left-footed strike into the top corner.

Neil Warnock's men almost equalised soon afterwards, but Asaba's volley from distance came back off the woodwork.

And Coventry were indebted to Hyldgaard just before the hour-mark when the goalkeeper spectacularly tipped Peter Ndlovu's drive round the post.

Hyldgaard then needed to be alert to claim a header from Shaun Murphy as United continued to push forward, with Michael Brown increasingly influential in midfield.

However, the Blades could not force an equaliser and Brown's goalbound late shot was spectacularly kept out by Hyldgaard.