United were at the Ricoh Arena on a wet Tuesday night for their latest Sky Bet League Two fixture.
Manager Keith Curle made six changes to the team that started on Saturday with George, Kennedy, Devitt, Brown, Etuhu and Shaun Miller coming in for Bonham, Bennett, Hope, Jones, Lambe and Tom Miller.
Over 100 of United's fans found themselves stuck in a motorway snarl-up on the way to the game and some decided to give up the ghost, turn round and go home as it became clear they would struggle to make it in time for the second half kick off.
The Sky Blues tried to get forward in the early stages but good defending from Grainger on two separate occasions kept them at bay.
A long throw from Brown had Parkes interested as United got forward themselves but he was closely watched by Kelly and his flick was easily cleared.
Wide man Jodi Jones cut in from the right for the hosts as he tried to make things happen but he was left red-faced when he swung wildly at the ball and ended up in a heap on the floor.
The Cumbrians created a great chance on 11 minutes when Adams ghosted into space just inside the box. His pass inside was expertly taken by Devitt as he arrived late but a firm shot was well saved by a strong hand from Burge.
Coventry responded with a run from Grimmer which took him into a dangerous area. He found Beavon but the shot came from the outside of the right boot and George watched it all the way.
It was suddenly end-to-end and Adams was next to try his luck as it opened up in front of him. He went for a toe-poke on the run but it was always heading wide.
A slick move from the hosts saw them get behind United as Jones, Vincenti and Kelly combined for the latter to striker a fierce shot as he slid into the box. He caught it well but he couldn't keep it down.
Carlisle had more good pressure when a Grainger free kick was only half cleared. Shaun Miller took over inside the area and he twisted and turned before sending it towards the unmarked Mark Ellis. Jason Kennedy tried to intervene and his touch allowed Willis to hook it clear.
United probed as Adams and Devitt tried to release Miller, but Davies was there to step in on both occasions. Right back James Brown then beat three to get into a crossing position but he couldn't wrap his boot round it and he sent a dipping delivery into the side netting.
Stuart Beavon had another good moment for the home side when he was picked out by Grimmer. He dropped a shoulder and shot through legs but George got low to beat it away. Doyle tried to snaffle up the loose ball but Joyce was on hand to complete the clearance.
Big defender Mark Ellis was a whisker away from testing Burge on 40 minutes when Adams curled a deep free kick into the mix. He got up well but the ball evaded his leap.
It was a disastrous start to the second period for United as a through ball from deep was latched on to by Wolves loanee Duckens Nazon. He got his head over the ball and left George with no chance as he crunched it into the top corner.
Coventry had their tails up and they had United worried when Beavon spread the play to Jones. He bent his run and rifled it low and it pinged off four sets of legs before George made a fantastic close-range save.
United were cut open on 70 minutes when Beavon and Jones found themselves two against one. A flighted pass left the latter with just the keeper to beat but he underhit his shot and it was cleared off the line.
Another neat passing move from the hosts saw Grimmer play a one-two with Beavon but his shot was deflected behind as he burst into the box. Vincenti popped his header from the corner straight at George.
It became an even more difficult evening for the Cumbrians with ten minutes to play when Jones dropped a shoulder and showed a turn of pace. He clipped a cross to the back stick and Vincenti guided his volley into the bottom corner.
The visitors were almost back in it when Parkes surged forward from deep. He let fly with a thunderbolt of a shot but a touch from Burge took it onto the bar and the loose pieces were swept up by the defence.
Parkes had a free header at the back post as the clock ticked down but he couldn't keep it on target and the Sky Bklues were able to celebrate their clean sheet and three points as United headed north with nothing to show for their efforts.
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Goals
Coventry City - Nazon (48), Vincenti (80)
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Bookings
Coventry City - Vincenti (55)
Carlisle United - Grainger (58), Joyce (72), Hope (84)
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Teams
Coventry City - Burge, Grimmer, Stokes, Willis, Kelly, Vincenti, Doyle, J Jones, Davies, Beavon (Kelly-Evans 88), Nazon (Biamou 59). Subs - O'Brien, Hyam, Maycock, Bayliss, Ponticelli.
Carlisle United - George, Grainger, Joyce, Parkes, Kennedy, Adams (Bennett 65), Devitt, Ellis (Liddle 68), Brown, S Miller, Etuhu (Hope 77). Subs - Bonham, M Jones, Nabi, Lambe.
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Referee - Trevor Kettle
Attendance - 6,151 (242 away fans)