Play-off chasing Coventry were lucky to earn a point at Highfield Road as Brighton's basement boys twice hit the woodwork and dominated the match.

The hosts, looking to extend their unbeaten league run to seven matches, included Argentinian striker Juan Sara in their line-up for the first time.

And player-boss Gary McAllister almost provided his new signing with the perfect start, but Sara's header from the Scot's second-minute cross flew narrowly over the bar.

But Brighton displayed few nerves for a side at the foot of the table, and they caused panic when Paul Watson slung over a cross that Morten Hyldgaard failed to deal with.

The ball fell to Bobby Zamora, but his mis-hit effort was hacked away by Richard Shaw.

Coventry missed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead, defender Mo Konjic failing to take advantage of confusion in the Seagulls' area and volleying wide from close range.

And City almost fell behind 10 minutes later as the ever-dangerous Zamora rattled the woodwork with a stinging volley from Nathan Jones' cross.

Steve Coppell's men showed no signs of letting the tempo drop after the interval, and Robbie Pethick warmed Hyldgaard's hands with a rasping drive from 25 yards.

Steve Sidwell saw a header well saved from another Watson cross, before Danny Cullip saw his header rebound off the frame of the goal.

Zamora was continuing to cause trouble, and he saw one shot blocked and another fly just wide as Brighton continued to pour forward.

Richard Carpenter and Paul Brooker saw shots blocked by some desperate Coventry defending and the Seagulls camped in Coventry's half throughout the closing moments.

But the hosts grimly hung on to record their fourth successive draw.

Coventry: Hyldgaard, Betts, Konjic, Shaw, Quinn, Pead, Eustace, McAllister, Partridge, Holdsworth, Sara. Subs: Mills, Strachan, McSheffrey, Davenport, Montgomery.

Brighton: Kuipers, Mayo, Cullip, Pethick, Watson, Carpenter, Brooker, Sidwell, Jones, Zamora, Barrett. Subs: Blackwell, Rogers, Packham, Hinshelwood, Piercy.

Referee: P Crossley (Kent).