Lonergan came in for Henderson who is to undergo an operation on a prolapsed disc. Chilvers made his first start of the season for St Ledger who had a groin injury whilst Billy Jones started at right back with new bot Gallagher on the bench.
After 300 minutes of failing to score Preston were gifted an early goal with poor play from Coventry. A clearance only came to the new skipper Nicholls who headed to Agyemang who was played onside by the stray Coventry full back. He then homed in on the keeper and slid in Preston's first league goal of the season.
To be fair Preston did not put up the barracades but this was helped by Coventry's inept attempts at getting forward in the first half with the only real chance being headed off the line by Darren Carter.
Preston then weathered Coventry pressure in the second half before Gallagher came on. He was straight into the action shooting wide in only preston's second attack. Moments later Gallgher played Agyemang through only for him to slip on one of the best pitches in the country.
Misfud came on for Coventry and lifted the side. A long ball into the box reached Adebola with his back to goal, turned Mawene and slid past Lonergan. Preston then looked uncomfortable as a magnificent strike from Doyle from 25 yards screamed past Lonergan.
Preston had no answers, lacked creativity and never really looked like equalising as Coventry forced forward for a third. Lonergan kept the score down in the final minutes.
Preston are on their worts run for a number of years now. Similar runs in recent memory under Brown and Beck ended in the manager's downfall - the only boss to fight through such a run was David Moyes when he eventually led the side to a play off final after a disastrous run over the Christmas period.
Preston now face a two week break before they play bottom of the league Sheffield Wednesday. If Simpson is still at the helm then this will be a key game for his future.
