Emil Riis' second-half strike was enough to see the Sky Blues fall to a 1-0 defeat on their return to the Coventry Building Society Arena.

In their first game back at the Coventry Building Society Arena, this season, the Sky Blues began strongly, testing the Preston keeper several times.

The intensity continued in spells of the second-half, but Emil Riis' strike 15 minutes from time sealed the points for the travelling Lilywhites.

Despite the Sky Blues having the lion’s share of possession, it was Robbie Brady that had the first chance of the game, but one that was equally met by Ben Wilson in net.

That story continued for Mark Robins’ side, with the visitors following up with a couple of corners, ultimately without much threat to the goal.

The Sky Blues came alive soon after, however, when Callum Doyle’s long-range effort crashed the hands of Freddie Woodman before Jake Bidwell’s shot came inches away from opening the scoring.

City’s left-back came close again before the half with a smart diving header from Martyn Waghorn’s corner, but Woodman was there to prevent the danger.

HALF-TIME: Sky Blues 0-0 Preston North End

The Sky Blues began the half the way they finished the first, in the ascendancy, with their first attack ending in Martyn Waghorn’s deflected strike clipping the bar.

Viktor Gyökeres was the next to test his luck, combining with Bidwell to open up and fire from a tight angle as City continued their dominance.

Robins' side continued to march on to find the go-ahead goal but it was the Lilywhites that broke the deadlock. Emil Riis the scorer.

City continued to test Ryan Lowe's side until the final whistle, but couldn't find the finishing touch as the away side claimed the points.

FULL-TIME: Sky Blues 0-1 Preston North End

Scorers: Emil Riis (73’)

Yellow cards: Ben Wilson (36’)

Attendance: 18,913

Sky Blues XI: Ben Wilson (GK); Josh Eccles (Fankaty Dabo 67’), Michael Rose (Fabio Tavares 89'), Kyle McFadzean (C), Callum Doyle, Jake Bidwell; Jamie Allen, Ben Sheaf (Gustavo Hamer 67’); Martyn Waghorn (Kasey Palmer 67’), Viktor Gyokeres, Matty Godden.

Unused subs: Simon Moore; Jonathan Panzo, Tyler Walker, Fabio Tavares.

Preston North End XI: Freddie Woodman (GK); Greg Cunningham, Ben Whiteman (C), Liam Lindsay, Ched Evans (Alvaro Fernandez 66’), Robbie Brady, Ali McCann, Jordan Storey, Troy Parrott, Ben Woodburn (Alan Browne 58’), Brad Potts (Emil Riis 66’).

Unused subs: Patrick Bauer, Daniel Johnson, Dai Cornell.