Coventry City 0-1 Preston North End: Alan Browne spot-kick wins it for Lilywhites
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Alan Browne's decisive penalty winner came on 67 minutes
Alan Browne's penalty midway through the second half was enough to earn Preston North End back-to-back league wins for the first time in 2021 against Coventry City.
The breakthrough came when Ched Evans was brought down by Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
Preston had the best of the chances, as Wilson made first-half saves to deny Ben Whiteman and Ryan Ledson, and also gathered Evans' 35-yard effort.
Coventry were aiming for a fourth consecutive league win - something they had not achieved in the second tier since 2002.
But Preston's defence held firm as the Sky Blues looked fairly unthreatening throughout.
Both teams are now mathematically safe after results elsewhere.
North End have kept clean sheets in four of their past five games, three of them away from home.
Browne's winner means they have now picked up 11 points from their six games under interim boss Frankie McAvoy, following last month's sacking of Alex Neil.
Robins hails 'biggest achievement' as boss - reaction
Coventry City manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
"It's a real disappointing day in terms of the game but put that to one side - because what we've achieved [confirming Championship status after promotion] is nothing short of a miracle.
"This is the biggest achievement I've had in my managerial career. It has been so tough. Credit to all the players, because they have put an unbelievable amount of effort in.
"The game was horrific. The energy we've used over the last three games has just taken everything out of us. There was effort and commitment, but there was no urgency. It was a dead game, a 0-0 other than a horrific mistake that we made."
Preston North End interim boss Frankie McAvoy told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I was given an opportunity for eight games and I said I'd give it my best shot. I've done that.
"It's the players that make the difference. They're the guys that go and play. We just get them prepared as best we can to try and win the game."