Bjarni Gudjonsson's classy brace crowned a magnificent Coventry display as free-scoring City cruised to victory over 10-man Preston.

Eric Black's men, who have now won five of their last six league games, were rewarded for a barnstorming start with goals from Gudjonsson, Michael Doyle and Gary McSheffrey in 11 pulsating minutes.

Preston struggled to deal with the Sky Blues' counter-attacking style all evening and Gudjonsson, who also missed a late second-half penalty, effectively sealed the contest after 27 minutes with another memorable finish.

Although Ricardo Fuller cut the deficit early in the second period, the damage was already done and manager Craig Brown will be left to rue the reappearance of basic defensive errors which have been a haunting footnote to their faltering campaign.

Brown's misery was also compounded when striker Richard Cresswell was sent off for an off-the-ball offence in the 76th minute.

And to rub salt in the wound, the former Scotland boss will be in hot water with the FA after he was banished from the dug-out for contesting the referee's decision.

Buoyed by their 4-0 victory at home to Burnley last weekend, the home side were lightening-quick out of the traps and opened the scoring courtesy of Gudjonsson.

The Iceland international was given far too much space to manoeuvre 25 yards from goal and expertly curled the ball past helpless goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and into the top corner.

Shell-shocked, Preston went about the task of restoring parity with admirable gusto and were unfortunate not to have equalised shortly afterwards, when Fuller struck the upright with a fierce drive from 18 yards.

However, in trying to force the issue, Preston were left short at the back which was cruelly exposed six minutes later when Doyle extended the home side's lead.

A beautifully-weighted McSheffrey through-ball unlocked North End's static defence, and Doyle took full advantage with a subtle chip from six yards over the head of the onrushing Lonergan.

Coventry were on fire, and three minutes later any hope Preston had of getting something from the game was extinguished when McSheffrey added a superb third.

Brian Kerr's speculative long ball found the 21-year-old in acres of space on the edge of the Lilywhites' penalty area.

McSheffrey displayed impressive composure before drilling the ball into roof of the net to secure his fifth goal in as many games.

With such a commanding lead, the home side could afford to relax, and another swift break enabled Gudjonsson to score his second.

Julian Joachim's cross fell nicely into the path of the former Stoke midfielder, who expertly headed the ball past Lonergan.

A few choice words from Brown at the interval had the desired effect on his troops whose flagging spirits were lifted when Fuller scored two minutes after the break.

Steve Staunton's clearance was greeted with interest by Paul McKenna who headed back into the danger zone for Fuller to toe-poke the ball past Scott Shearer from close range.

Inspired by Fuller's strike, Preston refused to leave quietly and laid siege on Coventry's goal - without creating many clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.

But any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out when Cresswell was shown a straight red card for a push on defender Calum Davenport.

And with two minutes remaining, Gudjonsson was denied the match ball when his power penalty - after Claude Davis fouled McSheffrey - was brilliantly saved by Lonergan.

Teams

Coventry: Shearer, Grainger, Davenport, Staunton, Deloumeaux, Warnock, Gudjonsson, Doyle, Kerr (Konjic 81), McSheffrey, Joachim (Olszar 85).

Subs Not Used: Ward, Adebola, Barrett.

Goals: Gudjonsson 2, Doyle 8, McSheffrey 11, Gudjonsson 27.

Preston: Lonergan, Davis, Michael Jackson, Mears (Keane 38), Edwards, McKenna (Lynch 84), Gemmill, Alexander, Healy, Fuller, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, McCormack, Smith.

Sent Off: Cresswell (76).

Goals: Fuller 48.

Att: 13,142

Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).