FRANK Lampard could not hide his frustration after Coventry City surrendered a late lead to draw 1-1 against 10-man Preston North End in midweek.
After Liam Lindsay saw red for Preston late in the first half a Charlie Hughes own goal put the Sky Blues ahead with 20 minutes left to play at Deepdale.
However, Daniel Jebbison’s volley drew the home side level late on to deny the Sky Blues a first-ever league win at Preston.
Lampard felt his side did enough to win the game but admits a defensive lapse allowed Preston back into the game.
Lampard said: “We’re obviously frustrated not to win the game because over the course of the game we should win it.
“11 against 11 we should be ahead and 11 against 10 we’re playing in their half and trying to keep creating.
“We had opportunity after opportunity on a difficult pitch. The lads did pretty much everything they could other than get those extra goals.
“The disappointment is the goal [we conceded]. We knew only a lapse from us or counter attack or set-piece was their way of scoring.
“But I’m not going to criticise the players because they pushed and pushed. You have to credit Preston for staying in the game.
“I’m disappointed but when you think of the season we’ve had and the wins we’ve churned out, it’s very normal.”
The draw leaves Coventry five points clear at the top of the Championship table and 10 points ahead of third-placed Millwall.
However, Lampard insists the Sky Blues will have to fight to secure a dream return to the Premier League despite their lead at the top.
Lampard added: “I would stop talking about the points in the league. It’s December.
“It’s what are you going to do in the next game? There’s so much work to be done.
“If anyone thought at 10 points clear we were going to sail to victory from December then I don’t think they understand what this league is.
“Leeds and Burnley were fighting out until the last game of the season last season.
“This is a fight and we’re a team that is a surprise fighter because of what we’ve done.”
Coventry are next in action against Bristol City on Saturday, December 13 with kick-off at 3pm at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
