Alan Irvine was keen to emphasise that North End can do better after settling for a point in the goal-less draw at Coventry, but admitted it was testiment to the quality his side has shown so far this season that a point wasn't met with wild celebration.

The gaffer drew positives from the expressions shown by his players following the game, with his charges having travelled to the West Midlands full of belief after an unbeaten start. He explained:

"It's amazing that we're all in the dressing room disappointed that we've come to Coventry and only drawn. It shows how far we've come.

"We're still unbeaten, which is great and keeps the run going, and that's smashing because it's a point nearer our first target.

"If I'd have been offered five games unbeaten before the season I'd have taken it - it's terrific.

"It's a long hard season as we know and we have to be right in every game, otherwise we will lose games in this division."

Both sides had chances to win it - Keiren Westwood and Andy Lonergan in their respective nets proving unbeatable despite testing efforts - but as more and more shots went astray it became apparent that the scoreless draw would be the most likely outcome.

"I think nil-nil was probably a fair reflection of the game," admitted the PNE boss.

"Both teams had a couple of chances but probably not that many.

"The game was probably a bit frustrating from my point of view because we've been passing the ball better than we did today, especially in the first half.

"I'm disappointed with how we played overall but we deserved to get a point out of the game and we now have to make sure we play better against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

"We created a few good chances, one in particular where Barry Nicholson was just at a stretch trying to force it in. There were other chances that we may have scored with on another day.

"Even standing on the touchline I felt that it was an entertaining nil-nil, obviously that's as much down to the fact that Coventry had so many attacking players on the pitch.

"Because they had so many attackers, it meant that even when we had the ball we were a little bit vulnerable."

When asked, the August Manager of the Month nominee picked out various units and individuals for specific praise, and explained the situation with his central midfielders after both Paul McKenna and Richard Chaplow were withdrawn during the second half.

"Obviously the back players deserve any credit they get when we keep a clean sheet," he added. "But it's a team effort when you defend and it's a team effort when you attack. You can't take away from those further forward.

"Paul McKenna was just a change because I thought he looked as though he was a bit tired and I just felt as though we needed the legs in there, particularly with the way that Coventry were playing.

"With Chappy, his hamstring went very tight and probably sore when he came to close one of their players down towards the end so he's been given some ice treatment and we'll see how he is in the morning.

"It was a difficult game for Jon Parkin this afternoon and hard work for all of us because it was a very warm day.

"Jon has not played much football lately so this was a big ask for him but he got through it and that will be good for him. He'll be getting fitter with every game.

"Billy Jones realised he was in a game early this afternoon because he was up a player in McKenzie who is big, strong and quick, but Billy is a good defender and you don't tend to see anyone give Billy too hard a time.

"Once he had worked out the threat here he did very well.

There was also praise to be dished out to North End's travelling army after more than 1,300 Prestonians made the trip to the end of the M6, many of whom were dressed in the same yellow outfit as their heroes. Irvine beamed:

"The fans were brilliant for us here again today and it was good that the players went up to see them after the game because we appreciate the support that they give us.

"We realise that it's very expensive to come here and we realise that they have to put themselves out to come and follow the games, but I think that they'll be quite encouraged with the way things are going."