Chris Coleman, now nine matches without a win, and Darren Ferguson left the Ricoh wanting the same thing - top-half finishes.
They have two games remaining and both teams will have to be more ruthless if they are to achieve that aim.
An end-of-season draw was probably the right result, but either side could have taken all three points. Coventry's goal was first rate, both in creation and execution. David Bell's cross fell to Michael McIndoe inside the Preston area and the Scottish winger looked set to try his luck.
But he spotted Freddy Eastwood on the overlap and set up the former Wolves striker to beat Andy Lonergan.
It took a penalty 17 minutes later to bring Preston back on level terms. Callum Davidson converted after Richard Wood had felled Jon Parkin.
Preston boss Ferguson said: "I felt it was a game we should have won, but we didn't and that makes it a disappointing result.
"Performance-wise I am pleased and there were positives. We have gone to a new system in the last couple of games and they have taken to it well.
"I want to win the last two games and finish in the top 10, or at least the top half."
Sky Blues gaffer Coleman will find out this week how much money he has at his disposal as he looks to strengthen ahead of his third full season in charge. He said: "We are lacking confidence and we are finding it hard to get in behind teams.
"We had a good go in terms of effort, but we look a bit shaky at the back because we lack confidence. We need more pace and we must be more dynamic."
Coventry: Westwood 6 - Wright 6, Wood 6, Barnett 6, *CRANIE 7 - Bell 6, Clingan 5, Gunnarsson 6, McIndoe 7 (Baker, 74mins) - Morrison 6, Eastwood 7 (Jeffers, 90mins).
Preston: Lonergan 7 - Jones 6, St Ledger 7, Chilvers 6, Davidson 6 - James 6, Coutts 7, Mayor 6, Wallace 7, Treacy 6 (Williams, 87mins) - *PARKIN 8.
Referee: G Ward 6.