Kevin Blackwell's side, who had gone five games without a win, carved out the early openings, but their finishing let them down as they dominated from start to finish.
Leading scorer Darius Henderson pulled his close-range header wide of the far post from six yards before Glen Little was foiled by Keiren Westwood.
The United winger drilled in a shot from 15 yards, pushed away by the Coventry keeper and when Little had a second attempt the ball was deflected wide of the target.
Coventry were in trouble again as they allowed Andy Taylor too much space on the left, the ex-Tranmere left-back lashing in a low strike, smothered on the line by the diving Westwood.
Henderson almost found a way through as he connected with a cross from Stephen Quinn, making his 150th appearance for the Sheffield side. The big striker finally beat Westwood only to see his close-range effort hit defender Leon Barnett.
Quinn fired wide from the edge of the box before Creswell finally found a way through two minutes after the break. The winger started and finished the move, linking with Little before firing a right-foot shot into the top right-hand corner from 15 yards for his 12th of the season.
Coventry had little to offer in reply, their best chance falling to Richard Wood, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday centre-back stretching to reach a Sammy Clingan corner, but with Steve Simonsen beaten, Paul Connolly heading clear.
Chris Coleman's side were handed a way back in the 77th minute when United keeper Steve Simonsen picked up a backpass from James Harper ten yards out, but Clingan fired the free-kick high over the top.