Preston North End 1-0 Coventry City: Lilywhites see off Sky Blues in narrow win

The hosts threatened after eight minutes when Riis was slipped in but his strike across goal was saved well by the feet of Coventry goalkeeper Oliver Dovin.

Riis was in the thick of the action once more but he was unable to guide a pinpoint cross from stand-in captain Ryan Ledson on target six yards out and Robbie Brady went close soon after.

In a first half full of endeavour, Riis’ deflected effort was pushed away by Dovin but the Dane was booked shortly after for diving having gone down softly in the area.

Following an error from Brady, Coventry forward Norman Bassette was unable to find the target from 10 yards out shortly before Riis’ decisive goal.

Substitute Sam Greenwood’s in-swinging corner fell to Brady who perfectly set up Riis to nod home his second of the season right in front of goal.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the Sky Blues, who had Wright’s effort ruled out for handball before North End keeper Freddie Woodman superbly kept out Bobby Thomas’ header from a Tatsuhiro Sakamoto cross as the hosts held on to seal an important win.