United conceded three goals in a match for the first time this season and surrendered the unbeaten start in the Championship.

Goals from Jamie Ward and James Harper - his first for the club - were ultimately in vain as Coventry took advantage of their chances to secure their first win in four games.

Injury forced Kilgallon out of the midweek trip to Coventry and his place in the starting line-up was taken by France, with teenager Walker switching to the centre of defence to partner Morgan. Stewart was named on the bench for the first time but Blackwell could only name six substitutes yet again.

Henderson and Ward caused problems in the first 90 seconds but there was end product to Treacy's cross before Coventry found their rhythm. Clingan's 30-yarder was easy for Bunn but the goalkeeper dropped the next test from the midfielder, an up and under.

Coventry's start, however, was rewarded with the opening goal, on 12 minutes. McIndoe delivered from the left and BEST, in the right channel 18 yards out, pulled the ball down, held off Walker and Taylor, before striking a half-volley across Bunn and into the corner of the net.

It was just a minute later that the Blades had two chances to respond but the home side defended well. Henderson's flick resulted in Quinn's shot being blocked by the goalkeeper's legs and the rebound, from Morgan, hitting Turner.

Another McIndoe cross saw both Osbourne and Best mis-kick before the travelling fans thought the visitors had levelled on 21 minutes. Henderson again laid off, this time to Quinn, who sprung the offside but once in the clear saw his shot saved by Westwood.

Defender Turner was then forced to block from Harper's shot before United equalised on 31 minutes. From a Coventry attack, Taylor was allowed to stride out of defence and pick a diagonal pass to WARD, who took the ball in his stride, stepped inside and fired a magnificent 25-yard effort, left-footed, beyond Westwood's reach.

A quality move between Quinn and Treacy created another chance but Harper was unable to get in the penalty area in time, whilst Coventry had chances of their own. Bunn had to keep out Clingan's free-kick with his knees and Cork fired over.

On the stroke half-time United wasted a glorious chance to take the lead. Ward swung in a free-kick and Henderson held off his man to win the header but Taylor, unmarked and onside, was unable to get the ball out of his feet to test Westwood.

After a mixed start to the first half, United had clearly got on top but the good work was undone with the first serious move of the second period.

Five minutes after the break a mix-up between Montgomery and France put McIndoe in the clear and his low centre found MORRISON, who side-footed beyond Bunn's right hand. The Coventry striker was also booked for whipping off his shirt in celebration.

Treacy's shot was deflected wide and from his resulting corner, Morgan's header was blocked and then cleared by Hall. However, United found themselves trailing by two goals for the first time this season on the hour. From McIndoe's corner, CRANIE wriggled free of his marker and planted a header past Bunn.

Blackwell's immediate response was to change from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 with Evans replacing Quinn and soon after Treacy was sacrificed for the pace of Cotterill. The United chief's hopes of using a third tactical change were ended on 72 minutes when Stewart was needed to make his debut with Taylor hobbling off.

Despite seeing more of the ball, United were struggling to create notable chances until the final 15 minutes. The energetic Ward, who also did his fair share of defensive work, was again afforded space, on 76 minutes, and although his shot was parried by Westwood, HARPER was ideally placed to side-foot the loose ball home.

United won successive corners as the pressure began to mount. From the first another Harper effort was blocked and then Evans shot weakly at Westwood. With 83 minutes gone Bunn's long clearance was flicked on by Henderson and a powerful Evans shot clipped the top of the City crossbar.

The home side tightened their ranks in the dying stages and United were unable to take advantage when Evans headed down Stewart's cross on 90 minutes. Five minutes of added time gave the Blades more hope but the late pressure failed to tell and the red and white wizards tasted defeat for the first time this season.

Coventry: Westwood, Wright, Hall (Clarke 85), Clingan, Best, Morrison (Gunnarsson 85), Crainie, Osbourne, Cork, Turner, McIndoe.
Unused: Ward, Konstantopoulos, Eastwood, Cain, Grandison.

Blades: Bunn, France, Montgomery, Morgan, Henderson, Harper, Taylor (Stewart 72), Ward, Treacy (Cotterill 67), Quinn (Evans 62), Walker.
Unused: Reid, Bennett, Little.