Whichever way, Coventry failed to overtake and the performance on show, despite missing our two main strikers can be one to be proud of under tense conditions.

We walk away from our last ever trip to Highfield Road with no complaints - though more will be needed if six shooters Ipswich are on form on Tuesday night. We'll need your support.

Team News saw the first call up for Finnish Under 21 International Toni Koskela - Toni fresh from midweek action at Ninian Park as the reserves faced and were beaten by Bournemouth.

The only other change was as expected with Lee Bullock making a start in the place of Peter Thorne following a solid performance as a substitute as Thorne left early against Sheffield United last week.

The visiting press were no doubt speculating over which of our Bluebirds in red would be perhaps making their last appearances in a Cardiff shirt - but for the rest of us we hoped for business as usual and no revolving doors at Ninian Park next week.

The task was clear. Win at Highfield Road and step one more vital step towards mid table security as the season close rapidly approaches. Lose the game and see Coventry leapfrog the Bluebirds and then look nervously towards other results - Gillingham and Nottingham Forest especially as both aim to break free from the bottom three.

Highfield Road was more than respectfully attended by the travelling City faithful with reports of around eighteen hundred tickets sold for the game. The view from the press box on the other side of the stadium was very impressive to say the least and the Bluebirds making the trip were certainly in good voice before kick-off. We salute you.

The match started evenly with both looking a little nervous in the exchanges in the opening five minutes. If anything Cardiff looked more likely to get the first goal with more confidence and better use of the ball.

Cameron Jerome in particular looked full of pace and attack, often breaking free of his marker. The first chance of note came with Jerome fouled by Duffy twenty five yards out. After some debate between Gabbidon, Langley and Barker, Danny eventually took the free kick, but failed to trouble Bennett in the Coventry goal as it aimed straight at the 'keeper.

The pressure continued from the Bluebirds as Coventry looked uncomfortable with the pressure applied by the visiting team.

The Sky Blues however managed to soak up the opening fifteen minutes pressure and score against the run of play and take the first half lead.

Following another attack from Cardiff with Jerome at the forefront, the Sky Blues broke immediately through McSheffrey running forward.

Under pressure he neatly passed through to the path of Benjamin with his efforts winning a corner. The resulting delivery came into a crowded penalty area and was knocked between bodies before coming to the path of Stern John, who made no mistake in smacking a shot through the mix and into the back of the net.

Coventry 1 - 0 Cardiff

Despite the sucker punch the Bluebirds didn't fall apart after going a goal behind and immediately aimed to get the equaliser and restore parity to make up for their initial better play.

The goal itself thankfully came only three minutes later as a corner was well won by Jerome, chasing another potential lost cause on the left hand of the field.

Rather than float the ball into the mix, Richard Langley opted for a short corner to Joe Ledley who then gave the ball back to the Jamaican International.

Langley then fired a cross into the mix with Lee Bullock rising high to head home and send the travelling Bluebirds wild.

Coventry 1- 1 Cardiff

City continued their dominance for the rest of the half with only McSheffrey and Stern John looking likely to cause an upset. The Bluebirds passing and play looked comfortable going forward and in defence.

Although Coventry made a few inroads as the half matured, their final ball was less than expected - McSheffrey in particular had a great opportunity, but sliced his cross or shot to the bemusement of the Highfield Road fans.

Jerome continued to impress with more runs down the left of the pitch - his arms may have been all over the place, but the eighteen year olds pace clearly troubled the Sky Blues.

On more than one occasion he broke free to cross low into the area and put Bennett under pressure. Unfortunately Cardiff couldn't capitalise and get a second before the interval.

In all we could go into the half confident of coming out confident for the second half - perhaps even disappointed to only be level after the first forty five minutes.

But to come back so quickly from the goal against play, we knew that the second half would at least be interesting as the 'six pointer' continued to cause many a nail on either side to be bitten.

The Bluebirds made no half time changes and attacked the East Stand for the second half as Coventry kicked off.

Cardiff continued where they left off with some good moves and looking the better side. Coventry made a few attempts to challenge the City defence, but mistakes lost possession and were met with gasps from the home support.

Jerome continued to give Staunton and company worry and ran at the Coventry box with intent after five minutes. Unfortunately he took to long to turn and was crowded out by the Sky Blue defenders and the ball into safety.

Coventry did start to get a firmer grasps of the game as the half progressed with John looking dangerous especially. A chance came to the striker after ten minutes was given an opportunity twenty yards out. Thankfully his spanked shot sailed narrowly over the bar.

Both Junichi Inamoto and Rhys Weston got the wrong side of the referee as the half progressed with two yellow cards in two minutes - the referee at least harsh on Inamoto who looked for the ball but was slightly late, with no malice evident.

Jobi had a chance to get the advantage for Cardiff after ten minutes as he controlled the ball well in the penalty area under pressure.

His turn and shot on another occasion would have seen the talented midfielder running in celebration, but was fired over the bar to the relief of the home support.

As the half matured the game fell apart slightly with the possibility of both scared of giving the goal away in the labelled six pointer.

Coventry did start to impose themselves more on the game, but again couldn't find a way through. Chris Barker can again be noted for an excellent defensive display, with Gabbidon and Collins close behind.

Darren Williams came on for Rhys Weston with Weston looking troubled as he walked off the field. The move saw City defend deeper than they had the whole game, giving the Sky Blues more of a chance to pull forward.

With seven minutes left to play, Lennie introduced Stuart Fleetwood for Cameron Jerome. The young striker was fresh from scoring for the reserves midweek and making one of his few of the season.

With time running out it seemed as if it would take more of a mistake than a touch of skill if either would manage a winner.

With only a few minutes left to play, Cardiff had the chance of the half as Fleetwood forced the first Cardiff corner of the half. Taken short again between Langley and Joe Ledley the pair again linked well to build play and a good cross from Langley.

Unfortunately, Jobi's run on to a certain goal was just short and the ball was safely away.

Tension clearly a factor, it can be Reasoned that neither side completely deserved the win although it would be fair to say we shaded it if either had to be declared winner.

The result, while not able to build space between the two will definitely be preferable to Lennie Lawrence as the Sky Blues are unable to capitalise o a chance to overtake.

With the season running to a close, we next face Ipswich on Tuesday and can be sure to have a chance - just as long as the six goal version don't turn up on the day.

Whichever way, if we have support remotely as good as today then we'll have every chance of an upset at Ninian Park.