Coventry manager Frank Lampard claimed his side’s 2-1 victory against Preston was one of his most pleasing since he took charge.
The Sky Blues were two goals to the good at half-time through Jack Rudoni and Bobby Thomas, and spurred a host of chances to kill the game off before Will Keane halved the deficit.
However, Coventry held on for their seventh win in eight league games to move just a point away from the play-off places.
“Performance-wise I would say it’s one of the best,” said Lampard.
“Although I think the scoreline probably doesn’t quite reflect that, but we all know in the stadium that it probably should have been three or four by the time they scored to give us a difficult 10 minutes.
“We changed the shape today and you could feel the extra attacking player on the pitch and the energy in the team, and the quality.
“We played the first half in their half pretty much, doing all the things we worked on and talked about in the week so it was good. We were playing a difficult team, to be fair, and I was concerned coming into this game because Preston are a difficult team to play against.
“They put balls in the channels and turn you around a lot and sometimes go man to man but they couldn’t press us today because of how well we played, so there are lots of positives.”
The victory also ended Coventry’s Preston hoodoo, a run of 22 league matches without a win against the Lilywhites dating back to September 2007.
Lampard added: “It’s great for the fans. I was aware of it because it was spoken about as soon as I came in, so I know what it is.
“We’re on a good run at the moment so you can feel a good feeling in the stadium anyway, and to do something like that is good for those who have been supporters of the club for a long time. So I am happy for them and happy for the three points.”
Paul Heckingbottom admitted the defeat was probably one game too many for his North End side that have played five times in February, with an upcoming tie against Burnley in the FA Cup to come next weekend.
“There were too many not at the level we’ve been playing today which made it difficult,” admitted Heckingbottom. “It just looked on my eye, a game too far for us. I’d love to have that game back again.”
“We were second best for large parts, I could feel it coming five minutes before their first goal and you’re thinking we need to change something here.
“Before that it was a pretty even game in terms of our threat and their threat, our problem was when we got in behind them the final pass was missing, which meant we didn’t get the opportunities, didn’t get the goal.
“But from the goal onwards I felt we were second best for large portions, I thought if we would have got something out the game it would have just been the spirit and the character of the players.
“We’ve been trying to make changes and manage the group to keep the energy because it’s a big part of how we play and that’s why this next week we’ve got a free week, so we need to use it really well.”
Burnley boss Scott Parker never doubted his players would maintain their intensity despite promotion having already been achieved.The Clarets emphatically boosted their Sky Bet Championship title hopes by hammering QPR 5-0 in their penultimate match of the season.It moved them to the top of the table, three points ahead of Leeds, although the Yorkshire side, who are at home to Bristol City on Mond...

Darren Moore could not hide his pride at steering Port Vale back into League One following a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.Two second-half goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley sealed an immediate return to the third tier for the Vale Park outfit.As players and fans alike celebrated in the away end, Moore reflected on the achievement – and admitted his focus in this match was on gaining...

Richie Wellens felt the overall display from his Leyton Orient team was excellent in their 1-0 victory over Wycombe.Orient took another step towards the play-offs after Randell Williams’ second-half header proved the difference at Brisbane Road.It was Orient’s fifth successive win and they now travel to Huddersfield next Saturday knowing that, with their superior goal difference, they ...

Notts County all-but guaranteed their place in the League Two play-offs courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Harrogate.The Magpies ended their four-match winless run thanks to Conor Grant’s second-half brace, leaving them fifth in the table and six points clear of eighth-placed Colchester.County took the lead in the 33rd minute when George Abbott fired home after David McGoldrick’s initial eff...

Luton climbed out of the Championship bottom three for the first time since January thanks to Shandon Baptiste’s 90th-minute goal as they beat play-off chasing Coventry 1-0.The Hatters looked like they would go to West Brom next weekend with their destiny definitely out of their own hands, only for Baptiste, who had been on the field for just 11 minutes, to find the net and lift the roof off...

Leyton Orient remain on course for the Sky Bet League One play-offs after a 1-0 win which dented Wycombe’s hopes of automatic promotion.Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game and Orient’s victory, their fifth in succession, leaves them ahead of seventh-placed Reading on goal difference.Defeat for the Chairboys, though, has handed the initiative to Wrexham, who could seal the...

Doncaster clinched promotion to League One after goals from Rob Street and Billy Sharp secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Yorkshire rivals Bradford.In an incident-packed encounter in front of over 12,500 fans – the Eco-Power Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season – Doncaster hit the post through Jordan Gibson before on-loan Lincoln striker Street gave Rovers a 33rd-minute lead with his...

Reading’s hunt for a Sky Bet League One play-off spot will go to the final day of the season after the Royals beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.Lewis Wing’s eighth league goal of the season after 67 minutes and Chem Campbell’s added-time effort leaves the Pirates staring at relegation after Noel Hunt’s side had to survive a first-half onslaught from the hosts....

Jamie Andrews struck a late equaliser as Woking twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh in the National League.Tyrese Shade put the visitors in front after 14 minutes, played in on goal by Ben Close before finding the bottom corner of the net.Woking then drew level three minutes before the break when Aiden O’Brien headed in from Jacob Jones’ free-kick.Shade had Eastleigh back...

Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cros...



- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola fumes over point claimed at 10-man Crystal Palace
- 10 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest