Coventry City 0-1 Preston North End: Emil Riis Jakobsen winner extends Lilywhites run
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Jakobsen's goal was his first of the season for Preston
Emil Riis Jakobsen netted a second-half winner as Preston recorded their seventh consecutive clean sheet and avoided a sixth goalless draw this season.
The Danish forward followed up to score only North End's second league goal of the season, after Troy Parrott's effort had been blocked.
Coventry came close to breaching Preston's watertight defence as Martyn Waghorn and Jake Bidwell both struck the woodwork.
But the Sky Blues, who were finally able to play at home this season after repair work to their pitch, slid to defeat and remain bottom of the table.
Despite their modest tally of one Championship goal so far this season, Preston looked the likelier side to break the deadlock in the opening half-hour, with Ben Woodburn narrowly off target twice in quick succession.
Greg Cunningham's effort forced a low save from Sky Blues goalkeeper Ben Wilson, who was fortunate to escape with a booking when he brought down Troy Parrott just outside the penalty area.
But Coventry went close through Bidwell, whose shot sailed inches wide after Viktor Gyokeres set him up and then met Waghorn's corner with a header that was blocked on the line.
Waghorn came even closer to breaking the deadlock after the interval, latching onto Josh Eccles' pass and cutting inside for a drive that took a deflection onto the crossbar.
However, it was Jakobsen who finally opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, slotting beyond Wilson after Parrott's deflected effort fell neatly into his path.
Coventry pressed hard for an equaliser and Matt Godden's cross picked out Bidwell, whose header looped over Freddie Woodman but clipped the bar and bounced to safety.
At the other end, Wilson denied Jakobsen a late second but Preston saw out the game - and became only the third English side in history to begin their campaign with seven clean sheets.
Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:
"I thought we were in the game all the time. We had a lot of the ball, we're moving it quickly to try and open something up and it didn't quite work, but I don't think we deserved to lose it.
"Preston make it really difficult by having bodies behind the ball. They've worked really hard with clean sheets in every game, so they're doing something right, although we've hit the bar twice.
"We were a little bit on edge and that's probably to do with our league position on the back of having to wait until tonight to play our first home game."
Preston manager Ryan Lowe:
"I was just pleased with the performance of the group today. To see the ball hit the back of the net was a relief and it's even better to come away with three points.
"I felt there was something brewing - I could feel the belief in the boys from the first minute.
"It's about the whole squad and you can see that, with the lads on the sidelines supporting the boys on the pitch."