The 4 talking points from Preston North End's 2-0 win over Coventry City

Daniel Johnson and Sean Maguire scored the goals as Alex Neil's men secured the three points, scoring in each half.

Here are four talking points from the game...

1. It wasn't pretty but it got the job done.

North End certainly weren't at their best as they overcame the Sky Blues on Tuesday night, but the fact is they came away victorious.

It's said that possession, shots on target and the like don't matter, the only stat that does is the scoreline.

That was largely the case for PNE, surrendering most of the ball although the defence stood strong and Coventry didn't really threaten.

The visitors did have the better of the ball and the better position of it but Neil's men stood firm and took their chances when they came along.

It was quite uncharacteristic of the Lilywhites to be so sloppy in possession so shortly into a game but it was their work rate and pressing that presented them the opening goal.

Though their quality may have let them down on the whole, their endeavor did not and that was largely what secured the result.

2. They come in threes.

The win over Coventry made it three on the spin in the Championship for PNE, a perfect nine from nine available.

It was also the third win in a row at Deepdale for North End.

Their form is coming at a good time as attention begins to turn towards the home straight after the turn of the year.

If Fortress Deepdale can make its return then it is a great foundation to build from.

We know that PNE do enjoy their purple patches and hopefully this is the beginning of one, extending the current run could see them quickly climb the table.

3. Their spiritual home.

Preston North End are sitting in 11th place in the Championship, this is not a drill.

There is more to it though than just being back in that comfy spot in mid table that Lilywhites' fans have become so accustomed to.

11th means that just four points separate North End and the top six.

Having raked in nine points in their last three games, that is certainly a gap within reach,

Keeping tabs on that top six will be important because as last season showed, it's all about how you finish the campaign rather than being in them when it counts for nothing.

It will also mean that a successful January gets even more importance.

4. The window is coming.

This will be one of the biggest transfer windows for PNE since, well, last January.

The upcoming January transfer window has increased importance on last seasons as we could see a host of players leave.

There is the same hope from fans that PNE will improve on their current crop and provide Alex Neil with more to push into the play-off places, but all eyes will be on the exit rather than the entrance to Deepdale.

The 'big four' still haven't put pen to paper and foreign clubs, including those north of the border, can make approaches on pre-contract deals as they enter their final six months.

Should deals not be sorted then there is a dilemma, keep them on and hope for the best - that either they sign or North End go up - or sell to avoid losing them for free.

Alan Browne, Ben Pearson, Daniel Johnson and Ben Davies are the names in question and they would all arguably get in any Championship side, if not some in the top flight.

They aren't even the only ones with six months left in the first team squad but their futures being resolved may change PNE's season one way or another.