Two late strikes from Dele Adebola and Michael Doyle broke PNE hearts as despite a brave performance, they ultimately left The Ricoh Arena with nothing.

After going into the break 1-0 up through a Pat Agyemang goal, North End succumbed to two efforts in the last ten minutes.

A great first period filled with energy and determination was nullified by a strong Coventry performance in the second half.

In the opening exchanges Davidson had to make timely clearances following two left wing crosses by Julian Gray whilst Agyemang proved a nuisance North End up front stretching the Coventry defence as they played a high backline.

Coventry's attack stemmed from their wide men in the opening quarter as they whipped in a succession of crosses but industrial defending by Mawene and Chilvers helped combat the physical threat of Adebola and McKenzie.

Agyemang's goal on 16 minutes came about from confusion in the back four. Whilst three stoppers stepped out, right-back Osborne found himself in no man's land and played Agyemang onside. Having shrugged off Hall, he slid a neat right-footed finish past Konstantopoulos.

Patrick's strike came at the perfect time. The confidence boosting finish settled North End after the early exchanges and game them a base to build the foundations for a solid first half performance.

The Sky Blues had a penalty appeal turned down a few moments after the goal but referee Taylor dismissed the claims of handball against Liam Chilvers whilst Pugh headed off the line when Gray's looped header beat Lonergan on 28 minutes.

It was an ideal first period for North End as frustration set in around The Ricoh. Nicholls, in his first game as skipper, applied himself affectively in the centre of the park with Andy Carroll throwing himself around in the final third for every possible scrap.

It must also be said that Callum Davidson had a 'wow' of first half. His usual defensive stability was matched with some great channel balls as he searched out Agyemang, Carroll and the workman-like Danny Pugh.

Three minutes after the break, Ian Dowie's men came close to equalising. A left-footed corner by Michael Doyle was headed against the bar by Marcus Hall, who had out jumped a host of North End defenders.

This kick started the home fans, which in turn rallied Coventry's players. Andy Lonergan did well to recover after miss-punching a high ball turning a McKenzie shot around his right hand post.

Mawene was booked soon after for a foul 35 yards out but the onslaught continued as Andy Carroll was called back for extra defensive cover. However, having survived 10 minutes of constant pressure, PNE got hold of the ball once more with Agyemang proving a great outlet on the counter attack.

Mifsud's introduction on 65 minutes was welcomed by the home crowd, and had it not been for a stray Mawene leg then he would have been in moments later. Not to be outdone, Chilvers made an even greater contribution when his fantastic flick header took the ball away from Jay Tabb at the far post.

Paul Simpson recognised that his side had not had the lion's share of possession and brought on Paul Gallagher in place of Andy Carroll. Almost instantly he found himself in a goal scoring position but he dragged his shot wide from the edge of the area.

Mifsud, the nippy Maltese forward looked dangerous and gave Coventry and extra spark in attack, and he was unlucky not to eqaulise when his right-footed effort flew a few feet over on 72 mins. He came even closer a few moments later, but couldn't direct his close range header on target.

Adebola grabbed the Coventry equaliser on 80 minutes. The experienced centre-forward held off Mawene before spinning and firing a low shot past Lonergan's left hand from 10 yards out. Having dominated possession in the second period arguably it was a just reward for the East Midland's outfit.

It was only a few minutes later that they went in front. Coventry's captain Michael Doyle picked the ball up 25-yards out before letting rip with a left-footed effort. Lonergan tried his best to get there, but ultimately he could not find the extra few inches required to get a hand to the ball.

Mifsud had another low shot saved moments later and Cairo fired wide as Coventry hung on to cement their place at the summit of The Championship.

PNE: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, Chilvers, Davidson, Sedgwick (Ormerod) Carter, Nicholls, Pugh (Whaley), Carroll (Gallagher), Agyemang (Subs not used: Neal, Hill)

Coventry: Konstantopoulos, Hall, Ward, Osborne, Borrowdale, Tabb (Cairo), Hughes, Doyle, Gray, Adebola, McKenzie (Mifsud). (Subs not used: Marshall, de Zeeuw, Simpson)

Yellow Cards: Mawene

Attendance: 17,551