Coventry have taken 52 points from 29 games under Frank Lampard
Coventry City beat Middlesbrough to book a Championship play-off spot thanks to two goals from midfielder Jack Rudoni.
Rudoni glanced home in the 44th minute and then sealed matters late on to ensure a fifth-place finish and set up a two-legged semi-final against Sunderland.
But the Sky Blues were also indebted to recalled goalkeeper Ben Wilson for victory as he made crucial saves to preserve his side's advantage.
Boro needed to win to have any chance of finishing in the top six and hit the woodwork through Morgan Whittaker.
But there was only disappointment as Michael Carrick's side end the season in 10th place.
Lampard delivers for Sky Blues
The Sky Blues were 17th when Frank Lampard replaced the popular Mark Robins in November.
But only the top three in the Championship have collected more points in the ensuing period than Lampard's side, and they have been especially strong at the CBS Arena with 35 points from 15 games.
But defeats at relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town had left their top-six spot in jeopardy.
Following that late loss at Kenilworth Road, Lampard took the big decision to drop goalkeeper Brad Collins following a couple of costly mistakes in the run-in.
In front of a club-record crowd at the ground of 31,452, the home side were quicker out of the blocks and Ellis Simms and Ben Sheaf were both off target with good early chances.
But goalkeeper Wilson, in his first start since October, made a fantastic fingertip save to deny Finn Azaz in the best opportunity of the half.
They were ahead shortly afterwards as Rudoni produced a textbook glancing header from an excellent Tatsuhiro Sakamoto cross.
Jack Rudoni has scored six goals in his last 10 games
Boro's season fizzles out
Boro have been hunting a play-off spot all season, but a goalless draw at home to Norwich City last Saturday had seen their play-off chances slip out of their own hands.
But their results since the turn of the year leading into this game had brought just 27 points from 21 games.
Carrick added six players in the transfer window but they have struggled to replace the goals of Emmanuel Latte Lath who went to the MLS, while on-loan Liverpool teenager Ben Doak, so impressive before Christmas, has not played since January due to injury.
They had ittle option but to attack after the break and Azaz would have equalised but for a superb block from Wilson.
And the goalkeeper had to be alert to save two more Azaz efforts, yet substitute Delano Burgzorg wasted their best chance as he blazed over inside the area.
Home substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante crashed one against the post before Whittaker did likewise at the other end.
But Rudoni settled any nerves three minutes from time, sweeping past Mark Travers to round off a counter attack.
With six goals in his last 10 games, the 23-year-old has been a driving force in giving his side the end-of-season chance to book a Premier League spot.
While Coventry contemplate what may happen in the next three weeks, Boro will have to reflect on a season that has fizzled out.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard told BBC CWR:
"It's great work from everyone involved. It's tense – it's a long week going into the game. We've got ourselves into this position but it's one game and anything can happen.
"Our performance was brilliant in the first half, though Middlesbrough had their chances.
"We stayed focused though, and I really felt the power of us in the second half. We were brilliant on the counter-attack and showed great desire to defend our box.
"I'm really delighted we've got there and now we've got to take a breath and understand that it's a step. Now we have to recover and go again for Sunderland."
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:
"It's a sickening feeling. I'm gutted for the boys. I think they gave everything today, put in a really good performance for the most part and didn't get what we wanted from the game.
"We didn't manage to take our opportunities and in the end, so we're feeling like we are.
"The fact we haven't got in the play-offs is hurtful enough. We've created our own expectations which is the positive. The boys have shown what they can do and we feel the disappointment we haven't got that.
"Seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, there is not really much difference to be honest."
Play-off semi-finals
Semi-finals:
Thursday, 8 May (20:00 BST) – Bristol City v Sheffield United
Friday, 9 May (20:00 BST) – Coventry City v Sunderland
Monday, 12 May (20:00 BST) – Sheffield United v Bristol City
Tuesday, 13 May (20:00 BST) – Sunderland v Coventry City
Final:
Saturday, 24 May (Kick-Off, TBC) - Wembley
