MK Dons 2 Sky Blues 3

Saturday’s big game in League One saw Coventry City, backed by nearly 5,000 travelling fans and looking to continue their fine recent form in the absence of star striker David McGoldrick, take on MK Dons at stadium:MK.

Midfielder James Bailey also needed replacing in Mark Robins’ side after the expiry of his loan spell with the Sky Blues and Robins opted to start with Stephen Elliott and John Fleck in his XI.

Home boss Karl Robinson, meanwhile, promised to make changes after seeing his side suffer a shock defeat by Walsall on Boxing Dayand would have been pleased to see the Dons take a 15th minute lead through Powell.

City hit back thanks to Franck Moussa but went in trailing at the break as Ryan Lowe restored the hosts advantage.

Fans have more faith these days, however, in the Sky Blues’ ability to turn games around and they did so in style as Elliott justified his selection ahead of O’Donovan and McDonald with two goals in three second-half minutes.

Both sides had chances to score more but it was the visiting fans who were left to celebrate another excellent away win and one which means City could be in the play-off places on the opening day of 2012.

Reaction: Mark Robins paid tribute to his players, staff and supporters after what he described as a ‘magnificent’ display from the Sky Blues, telling the official CCFC website: “This result now gives us the opportunity to kick on in 2013.”

Opposite number Karl Robinson was left to rue ‘five minutes of madness’ from his side as the game swung in the visitors’ favour after the break. He also aimed a barb at City’s financial woes, saying: “They say they’ve got no money, but when you look and (John) Fleck coming in and Elliott coming in, who has played in the Premier League, they’ve got tremendous strength in depth.”