Rotherham looked set to build on their four point Christmas haul with a happy start to the New Year after Brazilian Junior gave them a half-time lead.
But after a half-time barracking from their fans and an ear-bashing from manager Peter Reid the hit back with goals from Stern John and Adie Williams.
Coventry were anxious to make up ground after two Christmas defeats and might have produced an opener in the 20th minute but for a double stop from Millers keeper Mike Pollitt.
A deep cross from the right from Eddie Johnson found John who drifted in behind the defence only for keeper Pollitt to block his header then hurl himself to shut out the rebound from John.
Gary McSheffrey was twice off target in quick succession. First he snapped up a half-hearted clearance from Rotherham and powered into the area but lashed his angled drive wide. Then he hoisted a long-range effort over.
Pollitt was almost caught out by the swirling breeze when Louis Carey hoisted a wind assisted ball forward from his own half. It carried so far that Pollitt had to scamper back smartly to collect.
But Rotherham produced a spell of pressure and cashed in by seizing the lead after 38 minutes.
Junior forced a desperate save from keeper Luke Steele who blocked the effort with his legs.
A minute later with the second of two quick corners Paul McLaren found Chris Swailes in the area, whose towering header was powered goalwards and Junior added the finishing touch from point-blank range to give the home side the lead.
Coventry trooped off to a chorus of boos and "what a load of rubbish" from travelling fans.
But with the second half only 13 minutes old the Coventry fans were all smiles when John bounced back with an equaliser.
And 15 minutes from the end Williams pounced with a close-range shot after Michael Doyle's corner was headed down by Dean Leacock.
In a hectic Rotherham came close to an equaliser through McLaren and Swailes.