Preston's Sean St Ledger headed Barry Nicholson's corner against the woodwork but neither team could find their way to goal at the Ricoh Arena.

Andy Lonergan denied Freddy Eastwood and Dan Fox, while the PNE keeper made two good saves from Clinton Morrison as Coventry pushed for a goal.

But Preston's Neil Mellor forced two excellent saves from Keiren Westwood.

And Chris Sedgwick narrowly shot wide for the visitors while striker Jon Parkin had a shot blocked.

Coventry boss Chris Coleman: "We were on a run of three defeats and it was important that we stopped that.

"We're disappointed not to get the win but I guess Alan Irvine will say the same too.

"But we have to be level-headed throughout the season. Whether we are winning, losing or drawing, we have to keep looking at the bigger picture.

"If we are where we are now or a little bit higher by Christmas we will be moving in the right direction."

Preston manager Alan Irvine:
"I think a draw was a fair result. Both teams had a few chances but I'm a bit disappointed because we didn't play as well as we have been.

"We didn't pass the ball very well and we made a lot of unforced errors.

"We made some bad decisions when we chose the wrong pass on too many occasions in the final third."

Coventry: Westwood, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Morrison, Beuzelin (Tabb 86), Doyle, McKenzie (Mifsud 73), Best (Simpson 83), Eastwood.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Hall.

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Hart, Nicholson, Chaplow (Davidson 88), McKenna (Carter 73), Sedgwick (Wallace 83), Parkin, Mellor.
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Elliott.

Att: 16,544

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).