Matty Pearson grabbed the opener in the 16th minute when he nodded in from James Justin's cross, before Jordan Shipley converted from Jordy Hiwula's pull back just after the half hour mark.

The result means Town have now gone 21 league games unbeaten at Kenilworth Road, and should they avoid defeat against Rochdale next weekend, they will have gone a whole year since suffering a loss in the league at home.

Harford said: "We are disappointed with the result. We did enough in my opinion to win the game, the performance was excellent, especially in the second half. They had a spell in the first half, Coventry for 20, 25 minutes where they looked a dangerous outfit. We countered that and second half we had numerous chances. We're disappointed with the result, but the performance in my opinion was excellent.

"The way they worked, the way they go about their work – I keep saying it, but it's a testament to the way they work, the spirit they have amongst themselves, the camaraderie and they just stick together when it gets tough and the going got tough today in the first half. They stuck to their guns, they came through it. I thought we were brilliant second half, we tried to create opportunities and they barely got in our half second half."

There were two big penalty calls – one for each team – during the game, with Harford certain his side should have been awarded one after Danny Hylton appeared to be cleaned out in the box.

"I have seen them back," Harford said. "I am going to be biased, I think James Shea got the ball and the lad has gone over. I think the one where Danny Hylton, Sterling has come across him, it looked a penalty to me. But it's a tough job for the referees, it's 50/50 'do I give it, don't I give it?', he's gone the other way and on another day we could have had it, we know how hard it is for them."