Coventry City 2-1 Leeds United: Sky Blues stay in play-off hunt as Leeds miss chance to go top

Ellis Simms' early opener against Leeds United was his 13th Championship goal of the season

Coventry City kept themselves in the hunt for a play-off place with victory over a Leeds United side who missed the chance to go top of the Championship.

Ellis Simms netted his 18th goal of the season early on before Haji Wright doubled Coventry's lead four minutes into the second half.

Substitute Joel Piroe scored his 12th goal of the season for Leeds to give the visitors hope, but the Sky Blues held on for a crucial win which ended Leeds' 15-game unbeaten league run.

Coventry stay four points adrift of the Championship's top six while Leeds drop to third, two points behind leaders Leicester City and one point behind second-placed Ipswich Town.

Having seen previous league leaders Ipswich slip to a 1-0 defeat at Norwich City earlier in the day, Leeds knew they could move above the Tractor Boys by avoiding defeat at the CBS Arena.

Archie Gray was denied early on as Leeds looked to start on the front foot.

But with a top-six finish still firmly in their sights, Mark Robins' home side had plenty at stake themselves, and they went ahead in the ninth minute.

Wright broke forward before having a shot saved by Illan Meslier. However, after Leeds failed to clear from the resulting corner, Simms nodded home from close range.

The early opener gave the hosts a huge lift, and Meslier had to be alert to deny Callum O'Hare just three minutes after conceding.

Leeds weathered the storm and managed to gain a grip on proceedings as the first half went on, with Patrick Bamford unable to find the finish after neat play from Junior Firpo and Georginio Rutter on the left.

Connor Roberts replaced Glen Kamara at the break for Leeds, but they were left with a mountain to climb after conceding a second goal just four minutes into the second half.

Josh Eccles was afforded plenty of space to send a deep cross towards Wright who coolly volleyed past Meslier with the outside of his right boot.

Mateo Joseph and Piroe were both summoned by Farke as Leeds went for broke having fallen further behind.

Jake Bidwell was alert to clear off his own line from a Crysencio Summerville effort after Daniel James' deep cross from the right.

Coventry started to sit deeper, inviting pressure, and Leeds duly took advantage.

Rutter battled well to keep the chance alive before prodding to Piroe who had the simple task of netting.

Wilfried Gnonto then came on for the final stages as Leeds pushed for an equaliser, but Piroe wasted a glorious opening three minutes into injury time as Farke's outfit lost in the league for the first time since 29 December while Coventry bounced back from defeat by Cardiff City last time out.

Coventry City boss Mark Robins:

"We've taken part in the game today, it hasn't been a case of us sitting behind the ball.

"We started to tire and that's when we started to give away ground and it encouraged them to come at us.

"We see the game out, with bodies on the line and we were calmish in those areas and when we were calm, we came away with the ball and gave ourselves more time in possession."

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke:

"We played a really good opponent, it's always difficult on the road.

"We dominated in terms of possession which is good, we had more expected goals than them, more shots on target.

"We lost the game, this is decisive. Today was one of those days."