Injury to Hobbs adds to Hull’s woes as Sky Blues seal shock win

Central defender Jack Hobbs hobbled off with a knee injury that is set to rule him out for the rest of the season, according to manager Nick Barmby.

On the other hand, Coventry climbed out of the relegation zone in the Championship for the first time since October thanks to a long-awaited first away win of the season.

Liam Cooper’s unfortunate 13th-minute headed own goal, in what was the 20-year-old Scot’s first league game for the Tigers since August, 2010, handed the visitors the initiative before substitute Cody McDonald’s late finish.

Coventry, now unbeaten in six and having recorded back-to-back wins for only the second time this season, are hitting form at just the right time as the campaign reaches its climax.

Hull struggled to really get going and Aaron Mclean was fortunate to avoid a second booking following a nasty second-half tackle on Richard Keogh.

Despite only one win in 11 games, Hull still find themselves only five points off the play-offs, and Barmby has not given up hope of turning his side’s season around.

“At this stage of the season, lots of teams seem to be losing games, and we won’t give it up,” he said.

“I’m proud of the players for their attitude and commitment and the way we went about things in the second half.

“We’re in a bit of a rut at the moment, but if we show that sort of attitude we’ll get out of it, no doubt about that.

“It is about having the right attitude and wanting to get on the ball. As long as we stick together we’re not bothered about what other people say.”

On Hobbs’s injury, Barmby added: “He’s opened up his knee, and it’s tragic for the kid because he’s been outstanding for us.

“With James Chester also out, we had two centre-halves (Cooper and Sonny Bradley) who came in and did very well.”

Coventry manager Andy Thorn hailed an “amazing achievement” after his side took a giant leap towards Championship survival.

“It has been a long time coming, but it feels like a weight has been lifted off us,” said Thorn.

“If you look at how far adrift we were at one stage, it’s an amazing achievement to be where we are now.

“We just want to kick on now. There’s a real buzz in the dressing room and we’re determined to go on. We put in the endeavour and work again today. It was a really mature and very professional performance against a good team.

Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Hobbs (Bradley 46), Cooper, Dawson, Evans, McKenna, Mclean, Brady (King 55), Stewart (Cullen 78), Fryatt. Unused substitutes: Gulacsi, Cairney.

Coventry City: Murphy, Keogh, Cranie, Clarke, Hussey (Christie 82), Bigirimana, Clingan, Norwood, McSheffrey, Nimely (McDonald 67), Platt. Unused substitutes: Dunn,Deegan,Willis.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).