CARLISLE United made it three home wins in a row with a resolute performance at Brunton Park.
Matt Robson’s early goal was enough to earn the three points against Coventry City.
Manager Greg Abbott said: “We made it more difficult than it should have been because we had chances to put ourselves out of sight, particularly in the first half.
“Coventry are a good side, though, and they were always going to have a spell.
“We showed good work with the way we attacked and then we had to stand strong and defend.
“I have said before this is a good group and they needed a response after that performance last week.
“They gave us that and we heard from the reaction of the crowd they have really appreciated the effort their team has put in today.”
Any early nerves were settled with just 68 seconds gone when McGovern clipped a hopeful ball into the box.
Robson shrugged off the close attentions of his marker to loop a perfect header over the stranded Joe Murphy.
It was smiles all round as the nippy winger celebrated his seventh of the season from an unlikely source.
The visitors should have been back on terms within five minutes when Jordan Clarke found an acre of space on the Cumbrian right. His low cross evaded the stretching Leon Clarke – but it sat up perfectly for the late-arriving John Fleck.
He just had to pick his spot, but he somehow dragged it wide of the target.
The main outlet for Carlisle was the now confident Matt Robson and he completed a cheeky turn before letting one fly from distance. Murphy dived but it curled comfortably past the upright.
Coventry looked good going forward and they were denied by the post when Moussa made a run through the heart of midfield.
His snapshot deflected off Livesey and goalkeeper Mark Gillespie was visibly relieved as it ricocheted away to safety.
Leon Clarke rose highest to meet the resulting corner and it needed an instinctive save from the Carlisle stopper to prevent it from creeping underneath his bar.
The home side started to enjoy their football and a cute up-and-under pass from Noble released Potts inside the box.
Joe Murphy stood his ground and completed a one-handed save when it looked certain the teenager would score.
The Cumbrians went even closer just before half-time when McGovern took charge of a free-kick right on the edge of the area.
He caught it beautifully but it shaved the woodwork on its way behind to safety.
Carlisle had to battle for four minutes with just nine men at the start of the second half when O’Hanlon and Chantler bumped heads, but the Sky Blues struggled to make the advantage count in the face of resolute defending.
The home side continued to play the better football and Miller twice went close with headers from pinpoint McGovern deliveries. Jordan Clarke cleared one off the line and the other bounced just wide with the goalkeeper beaten.
Sky Blues new-boy Leon Clarke should have levelled with 20 minutes left, though, when Baker curled a wicked cross into the danger area.
It was down to Carlisle’s debut defender Sean O’Hanlon to do enough to cause the off-balance striker to pop his close-range shot over the bar as Coventry dominated the closing stages.
CARLISLE UNITED: Gillespie, Simek, Livesey, O’Hanlon, Chantler, Berrett, Noble (Cadamarteri 82), Potts (Thirlwell 78), McGovern (Symington 89), Miller, Robson. Subs (not used): Collin, Welsh, Loy, Beck.
Booked: Robson (90)
Goal: Robson (2)
COVENTRY CITY: Murphy, J Clarke, Baker (Wilson 76), Fleck (Elliott 54), McSheffrey (Thomas 70), Jennings, L Clarke, Wood, Edjenguele, Moussa, Adams. Subs (not used): Cameron, Dunn, Barton, Christie.
Booked: Fleck (28), Moussa (38), Wood (45), Baker (73), Elliott (90).
Referee: Mr David Webb Attendance: 4,071
