RICARDO Fuller scored twice and Richard Cresswell claimed his first goal of the campaign to help ease pressure on manager Craig Brown against what was eventually a nine-man Coventry City.

Fuller headed North End in front after 35 minutes when he connecting with a Brian O'Neil cross which was the product of good build-up play between him and Paul McKenna.

Three minutes later and Coventry were back on level terms after Marlon Broomes was adjudged to have fouled Gary McAllister in the area.

Steve Staunton took the penalty to score his first goal since November 2000.

But Fuller was on fire and latched on to McKenna's pass on the stroke of half time to restore Preston's advantage.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men on 60 minutes when Patrick Suffo fouled Broomes as a free-kick came in.

The game was put beyond them when Cresswell hit an accurate left-foot shot after 65 minutes.

Substitute Andrew Morrell pulled one back only for Michael Keane to confirm the win for the Whites late on with an excellent volley set up by Fuller.

Coventry's Michael Doyle was dismissed with seconds to go.

North End 4 Coventry City 2