PNE's win relieves the pressure on manager Darren Ferguson. Image: theposh.com

Preston North End finally ended their dire run in the league with a shock 2-1 victory away at Coventry City.

The victory will come as a huge boost to supporters, after what has been a worrying time for everyone concerned with the club. Financial worries and a series of poor defeats sent the club spiralling to second bottom in the Championship.

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However the Ricoh Arena saw the Lillywhites end any chance of Preston enduring their longest losing run for the first time in 8 years.

The startof the first half saw end to end action from both teams.

However it was Preston defender, Billy Jones who broke the deadlock with a shot going to the bottom left corner of the net. Things soon got better for recently beleaguered manager Darren Ferguson when Iain Hume doubled the away sides lead in first half stoppage time.

The on loan striker, scored from just outside the area into the top left corner of the net. This left Coventry with an uphilltask ahead of the second half.

Drama reigned at the start of the second 45 minutes when Marlon King made his debut for Coventry replacing former Preston transfer target, Carl Baker.

King who had recently returned from a 9 month jail sentence for sexual assault and causing actual bodily harm, was greeted with cheers and applause from the support, when rumours had circulated that Coventry fans would boycott the match due to the signing’s reasons for going to jail.

The striker made his presence felt on the pitch when he headed down into the path of Icelandic midfielder, Gunnarsson who pulled a goal back for Coventry, to help reduce the deficit.

Preston keeper, Andy Lonergan helped avert a nervous latter part of the match for Preston with a series of fine saves. The 26 year old, who has recently been in trouble for his jesture to Burnley fans in the recent Lancashire derby, proved to be the hero with saves from Wood, Bell and King.

Defender Billy Jones, the opening scorer of the match also blocked a shot fromKing, though Coventry players claimed the Preston defender had handled the ball.

Preston survived the onslaught with a crucial away victory, and finally the loyal Preston supporters were smiling as they made the 104 mile trip back to Deepdale.

Coventry City:
Westwood(GK), Keogh, Cranie, Turner, Wood, Clingan, Carsley, Gunnarsson
(Bell 62), Baker (King53), Jutkiewicz (Ward 77), Platt

Preston North End:
AndyLonergan, Callum Davidson, Sean St Ledger, Wayne Brown (Chris Morgan
36), BillyJones, Paul Coutts (Paul Parry 64), Keith Tracey (David Gray
70), Adam Barton,Daryl Russell, Iain Hume, Jon Parkin

Referee: Boyeson.

Attendance: 14,945