Bryan Robson has ordered his City players to fight and scrap every minute of the way to save their First Division skins.
Dean Windass fired the first goal for eight hours yesterday as Robson's men claimed their first win in a month and only the second in 19 games.
The victory over Coventry lifted them three points clear of bottom club Wimbledon, who play West Brom tomorrow, and within four points of Derby immediately above them in the relegation zone.
City go into the new year eight adrift of safety but Robson is hoping his side can rise to the challenge.
They had to dig deep to see off the Sky Blues and the boss wants to see more of that spirit for the remaining five months of the campaign. He said: "The win was a long time coming but it's nice to have a bit of luck for a change.
"We could have used the ball a bit better but overall the defending of the team was excellent.
"I'm delighted with the battling performance. That's what we will have to keep doing to get out of the situation we are in.
"We've got to battle like that week in and week out until the end of the season. It's a tall order but it's possible.
"I look at my squad and we've got Alun Armstrong and David Wetherall in and should have Nicky Summerbee and Danny Cadamarteri back for the next league game. The experience of those boys will be so important to us."
Striker Armstrong kicked off his month's loan from Ipswich and will be a City player until after the Gilling-ham away game on January 31.
Robson added: "He gets others involved in the game and makes intelligent runs. And he will improve as he plays more for us. I was also pleased for Dean Windass. It was a good strike for the goal. It was just nice to see a goal go in."
Paul Evans picked up a fifth yellow card which rules him out of the Cardiff home game on January 17. But Jason Gavin will not now be banned for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Luton after referee Paul Robinson confirmed he was not booked against Rotherham.
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