Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister was the star of the show as his side recorded their third win in a row by beating Derby.

McAllister set the ball rolling with a stunning 30-yard volley, on-loan Craig Hignett claimed the second and then set Jay Bothroyd up for the third.

It was Derby who had the first real chance of the game but Chris Riggott saw his goal-bound header superbly hooked clear by Barry Quinn.

This was a massive result for us because we have disappointed at home Coventry's Gary McAllister

But although Derby were creating the better chances, McAllister volleyed Coventry ahead with his seventh goal of the season on the half-hour mark.

The former Scotland international latched onto Warren Barton's headed clearance and gave Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant no chance.

Morten Hyldgaard produced a superb save to deny Lee Morris three minutes later but it was Hignett who extended Coventry's advantage with a 25-yard effort after Derby failed to clear properly.

Richie Partridge almost sent the Sky Blues into the half-time interval three up, but his superb curling effort from the left shaved the post.

This will not hit our confidence because we know we played reasonably well Derby assistant manager Ross McLaren

Christie had the ball in the net early in the second half as Derby tried to find their way back into the game but his effort was offside.

Jay Bothroyd brought the game beyond Derby's reach when he made it 3-0 on 54 minutes.

Hignett played a defence-splitting ball from just inside the Rams' half, and Bothroyd fired a firm shot across Grant into the net.

Coventry: Hyldgaard, Caldwell, Quinn, Konjic, Shaw, Partridge, Hignett, McAllister, Pead, Bothroyd, Holdsworth. Subs: Eustace, Mills, Strachan, Davenport, Montgomery.

Derby: Grant, Elliott, Riggott, Evatt, Barton, Burley, Bolder, Boertien, Christie, Morris, McLeod. Subs: Kinkladze, Murray, Oakes, Twigg, Mills.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral)