Having tasted defeat in a so-called relegation six-pointer on the opening day, it cannot be said that Coventry's season has started promisingly. The transfer of Darren Huckerby, their most potent attacker, preceded this second loss last night, though their endeavours deserved more.

A Muzzy Izzet penalty, scored during Leicester's only dominant spell in the game proved Coventry's undoing. Late on, defender David Burrows was ordered off to add to Gordon Strachan's woes.

With Emile Heskey continuing to have treatment for a neck injury, the Leicester attack in general lacked penetration.

Coventry's answer to the Huckerby vacancy was to deploy Moustapha Hadji slightly behind Noel Whelan. Having spoken only last weekend of his wish to return to his home town club, how Whelan must have envied Huckerby his move.

Initially it was a close contest between Hadji and fellow Moroccan Youssef Chippo as to who was Coventry's most prominent performer. Both showed a pleasing urgency and a hunger for possession.

Following some Leicester pressure Neil Lennon stumbled over Marc Edworthy's clumsy challenge and Izzet thundered his penalty kick out of the goalkeeper's reach.

The night ended on a sour note for Coventry when David Burrows put an arm into the face of Robbie Savage, his dogged marker for the night, as the full-back advanced towards the Leicester penalty area, and received a red card.

Leicester: Flowers, Sinclair, Taggart (Gilchrist 67), Izzet, Lennon, Guppy, Savage, Elliott, Marshall (Campbell 64), Impey, Cottee. Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Oakes, Zagorakis. Booked: Lennon, Marshall. Goals: Izzet 24 pen.

Coventry: Hedman, Edworthy, Burrows, Williams, Shaw, Telfer, Hadji, Chippo, Froggatt (Aloisi 76), McAllister, Whelan. Subs Not Used: Strachan, Konjic, Breen, Nuzzo. Sent Off: Burrows (69). Booked: Chippo, Froggatt.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).