Preston North End's unbeaten league form continued as they recorded a 0-0 draw at the Ricoh Arena against an attacking minded Coventry City. Alan Irvine will have left the east Midlands feeling blue knowing that Preston hadn't performed as well as they have done in their previous matches but can however take consolation in knowing that the Lilywhites have earned a point despite not firing on all cylinders.
It was the home side that started the brightest, showing their attacking prowess on the break with the likes of Clinton Morrison, Freddy Eastwood and Leon Best all having their fair share of chances, all of which were thwarted by a resolute Preston backline. Their best chance fell to Leon Best whose indecisiveness cost him when it mattered. After Billy Jones' cross was cut out, Coventry broke away with Freddy Eastwood who played in Best to his right who only had Lonergan to beat. Best dilly-dallied and the chance was gone.
Preston showed glimpses of what they had to offer with some lovely intricate passing in the middle of the park but it was just lacking that final ball, and that cutting edge which they have been guilty of before this season. Preston's best chance of the half fell to Neil Mellor who was looking to get in behind the Coventry defence all afternoon. Mellor found himself within six yards of goal and hit a half volley only for it to be beaten away by Westwood.
The second half was somewhat of an anticlimax, despite both teams having chances immediately after the break. It became apparent that neither team wanted to lose the game and so showed more caution in their approach. The Sky Blues tried to hit Preston on the break and with players such as Best and McKenzie who have pace in abundance, it meant that Preston's back four had to be on their toes throughout. St Ledger shone in particular and his usual dominant self at the heart of the Preston defence with the instrumental Paul McKenna pulling the strings ahead of him.
The second half was much too familiar to the first in that Preston lacked that key pass that would have unlocked Chris Coleman's side and in the end, with both teams having chances, a draw was a fair result.
Alan Irvine declared himself to be disappointed but not with the result itself.
"Both teams had chances and had spells in the game but I am a bit disappointed, not because we deserved to win the game but because we didn't play as well as we have been playing"
"The passing in our previous games has been very good but we didn't pass the ball as well today and the lads are a bit disappointed in how they have played"
Looking at the bigger picture, Irvine revealed that he is delighted with how the season has gone so far:
"It's hard not to be pleased, everyone knows what the situation was last season and so we are delighted we have gone five games and we are still unbeaten and hopefully it will continue"
Coventry:
Keiren Westwood, Danny Fox, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann (C), Guillaume Beuzelin (86 Jay Tabb), Michael Doyle, Leon Best (82 Robbie Simpson), Freddy Eastwood, Leon McKenzie (73 Michael Midfsud), Isaac Osbourne, Clinton Morrison.
Subs not used: 33 Andy Marshall, 3 Marcus Hall.
Preston:
Andy Lonergan, Michael Hart, Richard Chaplow (88 Callum Davidson), Youl Mawene, Chris Sedgwick (82 Ross Wallace), Barry Nicholson, Sean St Ledger, Paul McKenna (C), (73 Darren Carter), Billy Jones, Jon Parkin, Neil Mellor.
Subs not used:
Chris Neal, Stephen Elliott.
Attendance: 16,544