MICHAEL MIFSUD is seemingly on a personal crusade to etch his name into Coventry City’s illustrious recent history in cup competitions after another vital intervention eased his side into the last 16 for the first time in eight seasons.

Known as the Mosquito, the Maltese international has already proven a pest to Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers this season and yesterday he denied Millwall a deserved replay.

Coventry’s heroics in the cup this season are in stark contrast to their Championship form but Mifsud, in particular, appears to thrive in a knock-out environment. Two goals in the Carling Cup on a staggering night at Old Trafford were followed by another double in a stunning demolition of Rovers and his simple 52nd-minute finish was enough to prevent Iain Dowie from experiencing the acute embarrassment of a giant-killing on his own turf.

Millwall were by far the better team in the first half and should have taken the lead in only the second minutes before Mifsud’s 16th goal of the season raised hopes of a memorable cup run to rival that incredible achievement more than two decades ago.

Portraits of the players responsible for Coventry’s greatest-ever moment are inescapable at the Ricoh Arena. The faces of Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Kilcline and Trevor Peake adorn the walls inside the plush stadium while restaurants and suites are named after members of the 1987 FA Cup-winning team.

Ever since that triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, and the relegation from the top flight in 2001 after 34 years, it has been a frustrating period of stagnation for the Sky Blues.

Indeed, Coventry are a prime example of how the significant loss of finance following demotion from the Premier League can stunt progress.

Ray Ranson, the former Manchester City defender turned entreprenuer, completed his takeover last month to provide optimism for Dowie and the transfer embargo has since been lifted to allow room for manoeuvre in the transfer window. A £350,000 deal for Daniel Fox, the Walsall defender, has been completed and more new recruits are expected before the window closes at midnight on Thursday.

However, despite their heroics in cup competitions, it has proven a difficult season for the former Crystal Palace manager, after a freefall down the Championship table with only two wins gleaned from the last 12 league matches.

It has been a difficult return to management for Kenny Jackett at Millwall with his side, 21st in their division, bracing themselves for relegation battle.

But in the tenth minute Millwall suffered the misfortune of seeing two chances cleared off the line in a few seconds.

Lewis Grabban connected with Scott Barron’s corner but his header was cleared by Jay Tabb. The ball went to Paul Robinson, who saw his effort hacked away by Liam Davis.

Millwall paid for their profligacy when Coventry took the lead six minutes later. Stephen Hughes’s drive from 20 yards caught Robinson on the arm, though the Millwall captain could do nothing to avoid it, and the Coventry midfielder dispatched the free kick past Rhys Evans, albeit with the aid of a deflection.

Michael Mifsud should have doubled their lead soon after when he was sent clear by Dele Adebola’s sublime pass but his shot lacked conviction.

Millwall were momentarily knocked out of their stride but recovered their composure and Dimi Konstantopoulos, the Coventry goalkeeper, had to produce an excellent save to deny Jay Simpson just before the half-hour.

But Konstantopoulos was motionless in the 41st minute when Simpson seized upon Barron’s cross to drive a shot into the top corner for a deserved equaliser.

Millwall should have taken the lead barely 60 seconds into the second period when Grabban raced clear but his low shot was kept out by Konstantopoulous’ legs.

But once again they were made to pay for not taking their chances when an error from Evans, the goalkeeper, spared Dowie’s blushes.

Evans dropped a regulation catch under pressure and although Dele Adebola’s shot struck the upright, Mifsud rolled the ball over the line.

Player ratings: Coventry: Konstantopoulos 6, Osbourne 6, Gray 6, Borrowdale 7, Ward 7, S Hughes 7, Doyle 7, Tabb 7, Davis 6, Mifsud 7 (Best 89min), Adebola 5 (Simpson 71min).
Millwall: Evans 6, Senda 7, Frampton 7, Robinson 7, Barron 6, Fuseini 6 (Harris 77mins), Dunne 7, Grabban 7, Forbes 6 (Brammer 65min), Simpson 7, Alexander 6.

Star man: Lewis Grabban (Millwall)

Scorers: Coventry: S Hughes 16, Mifsud 52 Millwall: Simpson 41

Yellow cards: Millwall: Robinson

Referee: N Miller

Attendance: 17,268

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