Two goals in each half saw North End move back to fourth in the Championship and firmly laid the ghosts of the recent away results.

A brace from Brett Ormerod, another from Nugent and Chris Sedgwick's first goal in over a year earned an all important result secured in fine style.

Henderson was handed his North End debut as Paul Simpson rang the changes for the trip to Coventry.

After conceding six goals in their last two matches the Manager opted for a change so Andy Lonergan dropped to the bench.

Simpson made three further changes with Davidson, Chilvers and Hill all back from injury. Davidson started in place of Whaley, which meant a return to the right wing for Chris Sedgwick while Seyfo Soley kept his place in the middle.

Hill came in for Pergl which allowed Alexander, sporting a bandaged head, to return to his favoured position at right back while Chilvers replaced Kelvin Wilson in the middle.

The visitors had brightly in the sunshine at the Ricoh Arena as they desperately bid to get back to winning ways and it couldn't have gone better as the

North End opened the scoring on 8 minutes, Chris Sedgwick scoring his first of the season and his first in over 12 months.

The former Rotherham man was returned to his original position on the right wing and he took his goal in style, cutting inside onto his left foot before firing past Andy Marshall in the Coventry goal.

It was his first goal since February 11th 2006 when he scored from the penalty spot in the 5-1 win over Luton Town.

It was 2-0 nine minutes later when Sedgwick was this time the provider, crossing from the right for Nugent to head home.

The England striker started the move before hitting a wayward shot that flew right across the face of goal but Sedgwick reacted quickly to hook the ball back across and Nugent rose highest in the middle to head home for his 17th of the season.

Coventry went close to getting a goal back on 28 minutes after Kevin Kyle had got the better of Sean St Ledger, but Matt Hill on his return recovered well to take the ball of the Scots toe and conceded the corner.

The corner gave Henderson his first real taste of the action but despite the size of Elliott, Page and Kyle it was Henderson who rose the highest to make the catch.

A long range effort from Callum Davidson on 38 minutes flew just inches over the bar and 30 seconds later he followed Hughes and Osbourne into the book for a late tackle.

From the resulting free kick Henderson made his first save of the game, saving well from Stephen Hughes. The loose ball then found Jay Tabb on the edge of the box but as he cut inside Sedgwick caught the man and was also shown a yellow card.

Danny Pugh was the fifth player in the book on 44 minutes. The referee booked the former Leeds man for allegedly kicking the ball away, the argument from the players was that a) the ball didn't go out of play as was flagged and b) Pugh played on after not hearing the whistle, a harsh booking all round.

There were three changes at the break with Adebola and McKenzie replacing Mifsud and Tabb, while Chilvers replaced by Wilson, with maybe still slight doubts surrounding the defenders fitness.

It was 3-0 just three minutes after the restart Brett Ormerod adding to the tally with a relatively easy finish. Sedgwick played the ball infield to Davidson, just seconds before he was fouled but the referee played on and Davidson flicked the ball through for Ormerod who ran through and coolly slotted home.

Brett Ormerod netted his second of the afternoon and North End's fourth when he took advantage of some comedy defending by Page and his goalkeeper Andy Marshall. Nugent toed the ball through which came off Page and gave Ormerod a glimmer of hope. He ran on and put the defender under pressure he then fell over the advancing Marshall and

McKenzie was the sixth player in the book on the hour mark and just seconds later David Nugent was replaced by Patrick Agyemang. With the striker also on nine booking there was no point risking the front man.

Kevin Kyle was booked on 67 minutes after attempting to go clear of Wayne Henderson with the use of his arm. The North End keeper came outside his area to mop up the danger but Kyle was spotted put the ball past him with his hand and was booked.

Leon McKenzie, who only came on at the break, was replaced on 69 minutes by Khalilou Fadiga after going down injured.

Seyfo Soley was replaced on 80 minutes, after going down with what looked like cramp, he was replaced by Whaley which meant Sedgwick moved back into the middle alongside Davidson.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side in the last minute, Khalilou Fadiga stretchered off and with all three substitutes used Coventry played the remainder of the match with 10 men.

It might have taken a while but the win was well worth waiting for and secured in some style. The three points put North End back to fourth in the table with just three games to go.

PNE LINEUP: Henderson, Alexander, Hill, Chilvers (Wilson 46), St Ledger, Sedgwick, Davidson, Soley (Whaley 80) , Pugh, Nugent (Agyemang 60), Ormerod.

SUBS: Lonergan, Ricketts

COVENTRY LINEUP: Marshall, Hall, Page, Ward, Hughes, Kyle, Osbourne, Mifsud (Adebola 46), Tabb (McKenzie 46 (Fadiga 69), Cameron, Virgo

SUBS: Steele, Adebola, Fadiga, McKenzie, Turner