Haji Wright scored twice as Coventry came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
The FA Cup quarter-finalists do not play another Championship fixture until March 29 and needed the three points to remain in the Championship play-off picture.
United States international Wright converted a 40th-minute penalty to cancel out Ryan Porteous’ headed opener and then struck a composed 72nd-minute winner from the edge of the area.
The result was harsh on Watford, whose vibrant and energetic display belied their recent poor run of form.
Valerien Ismael’s side have now won just one of their past 10 league games and are in danger of being sucked into the increasingly-congested relegation battle.
Watford began positively, with an Edo Kayembe shot through the legs of a Coventry defender that was tipped away by the outstretched left hand of Brad Collins.
After Ismael Kone had pushed another effort just wide, the home side took the lead in straightforward fashion after 20 minutes.
A Ryan Andrews long throw found the head of Porteous, whose flick dropped over Collins and into the far corner.
At the other end, Wright took advantage of two Watford players running into each other, but he could only find the midriff of Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann with his shot.
Having been outplayed for most of the half and looking disjointed, Coventry suddenly drew level.
Josh Eccles received a short pass from Ellis Simms before beating Porteous and then having his legs taken away by Bachmann, who had come rushing rashly out of his goal. Wright struck his spot-kick firmly into the corner.
The equaliser meant Watford extended their remarkable record of leading at half-time on just two occasions this season, the fewest of any club in England’s top four divisions.
With an FA Cup quarter-final at Wolves next weekend giving them a 20-day league hiatus, this felt like a match Mark Robins’ side needed to win.
Instead, it was Watford who continued to create the clearer opportunities, with another Kone shot followed by a Wesley Hoedt header that was held by Collins.
The Coventry keeper then stood firm at the near post to stop a strike from the impressive Yaser Asprilla.
But, just as they had in the opening period, Coventry conjured up a goal out of nothing.
Eccles played in Wright on the edge of the area and his shot was low and true into the bottom corner for his 13th league goal of the season.
Watford continued to press but lacked the ability to carve out any clear-cut openings before the final whistle that was greeted by boos from those home fans who remained inside Vicarage Road.
'I felt like Ronaldo' - Bellingham revels overhead-kick equaliser for England
Jude Bellingham says he "felt like Ronaldo" while scoring a stunning overhead kick to send England to extra-time against Slovakia in the round of 16 at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the European Championships on Sunday until Bellingham scored a 95th-minute equaliser.
Harry Kane then scored the winner in the first minute of extra time, with the captain later describing Bellingham's strike as one of the best in England's history.
Bellingham has admitted that while he was in the air, he compared himself to former Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an iconic overhead kick for Los Blancos in the 2018 Champions League final.
"It was really instinct more than anything," Bellingham said while speaking on England's 'Diary Room' show. "It kind of fell in the perfect spot, and it was a little bit behind me.
"When I was in the air, I thought, 'I'm six feet off the ground, and it's like Ronaldo!' But I've watched it back, and I still had one hand on the ground, so it wasn't the most acrobatic.
"But it was a nice contact. Definitely one of the most important and memorable moments of my career so far."
The England performance was drawing comparisons to their early exit at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 until Bellingham's intervention, with his strike their first on target.
The Madrid man reflected on how close England came to an exit, but praised the team's belief for getting them over the line.
"It was an emotional rollercoaster really, and probably not the most enjoyable way that you want to win a game," he added.
"You want [to] feel comfortable and in control, but you've got to find ways to win, even if it means overhead kicks in 90 plus five minutes.
"The difference in emotion is huge – it's one minute being dead and buried, as I saw the Slovakia bench all ready to run on, and you feel a bit disheartened and a bit gutted.
“It's not the way I would've wanted it to end – I'm having a good time here with all the lads and the staff and one moment later, it all changes.
"You start believing that we could create one more chance and, luckily, we got it in."
England will play Switzerland in their quarter-final on Saturday, with the Netherlands or Turkiye awaiting in the semi-finals if they make it through.
Malta, PFJL emphasize nourishing champions with Malta ‘Kickin’ Cuisine’ Cooking Programme
One of the key components of building a successful career in any sport is a proper diet and good nutrition.
Malta and the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) during their recent event, "Kickin' Cuisine to Fuel Your Game," a cooking programme held at The Summit in Kingston on Saturday, June 29, made their attempt to impart this wisdom on some of the country’s young footballers.
As part of the Malta Sparks campaign, this initiative is geared towards the development of tactical, nutritional, holistic, and psychological skills of U-17 footballers from the prominent teams including Arnett Gardens, Waterhouse, Portmore United, and Harbour View under the Professional Football Jamaica Limited League's Elite Development programme.
The event highlighted Neville Bell as Malta’s new Brand Ambassador, offered sports nutrition tips from Rohan Francis, and featured interactive Malta Shake and Go as well as a meal preparation segment by Chef Asia Thomas.
The day ended with a lively dance-off and trivia competition for exciting Malta prizes.
Marta named in Brazil's Olympics squad as Elias hails 'greatest athlete of all time'
Marta will play in her sixth Olympics after she was named in Brazil's squad for the Paris Games by coach Arthur Elias, who described her as "the greatest athlete of all time".
The Selecao's all-time leading scorer with 118 goals, the 38-year-old will appear at her final tournament with her country, having announced in April she will retire from international duty at the end of the year.
Marta has already made Olympics history. In Tokyo, she became the first player - male or female - to score at five successive Games, while she was part of the side that won silver medals in 2004 and 2008.
And Elias welcomed the inclusion of the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, who has scored four times for Orlando Pride in the NWSL this season.
"She brings a lot to the table, she's the greatest athlete of all time," he said. "She's playing well, she deserved to be on this list.
"Marta's performance, her behaviour - with or without the ball - makes all the athletes see her as an example.
"I have the challenge of finding a way of playing to maximise her game. But she knows that you can only win with everyone."
Brazil begin their campaign against Nigeria on July 25, while they will also play Japan and 2023 World Cup winners Spain in Group C.
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