Nigel Pearson praised his side's bravery and admitted the younger players will learn from the experience after Coventry condemned The Robins to a cruel defeat with a late goal.
Bristol City fell behind through Ian Maatsen's impressive strike in the first half but were rewarded for their pressure when Chris Martin equalised with his head from close range just after the hour mark.
The hosts piled on the pressure looking for a winner but were punished in the dying embers when Han-Noah Massengo was made to pay for a misplaced pass before Viktor Gyokeres latched onto Gustavo Hamer's through ball to score the winner.
