Expert calls Coventry City player a 'cheat' after what he saw v Preston | OneFootball

The former FIFA referee has had his say on the lead-up to Coventry City's third goal against Preston North End

Coventry City took one massive step towards promotion out of the Championship last night with a 3-0 win over an out-of-sorts Preston North End.

The Sky Blues took full advantage of dropped points from two of their three nearest challengers, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town, to remain nine points ahead of third and move eight points clear at the top of the table.

After a nervy few months which saw Coventry actually lose their once seemingly insurmountable position atop the Championship, Frank Lampard's side are back on track, having now won six games on the spin - their joint-longest winning run of the season.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Brandon Thomas-Asante gave the Sky Blues a commanding lead at the break, with Matt Grimes converting from 12 yards just six minutes after the restart to cap off another impressive victory.

However, the means by which Coventry won that second-half penalty have been a cause for debate in the aftermath.

Keith Hackett criticises Ephron Mason-Clark's actions after penalty win against Preston North End

Four minutes into the second half, Pol Valentin was penalised by referee Lewis Smith for felling Mason-Clark in the box as he approached the byline.

However, replays immediately afterwards showed that the 26-year-old wasn't touched by the Preston full-back, instead feigning contact as Valentin began to lunge in and going down at just the right time.

Ultimately, the referee's decision was final, despite protests from the Preston man, and Grimes converted the subsequent spot-kick to put the game out of reach for Paul Heckingbottom's side.

Speaking to Football Insider after the game, former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett spoke about the incident, sympathising with the referee initially, before then stating that Mason-Clark should have been booked for simulation.

"I can fully understand the referee from his position judging this as a foul and the award of a penalty kick," he said.

"When we review the replays and the opportunity of a clearer viewing angle, you can see that there is no contact and the player has gone to ground in a clear act of simulation.

"Instead of the correct award of a yellow card for his action of cheating, he is instead rewarded with a penalty kick."

Lewis Smith is behind the incident, and from his angle, there's a clear lunge from Valentin that ultimately forces Mason-Clark to the ground by hook or by crook. Therefore, it's understandable as to why he may have felt there was enough to justify a penalty being given.

Coventry City are closing in on promotion, regardless of penalty decision

While Preston and Paul Heckingbottom can feel hard done by about the penalty decision, there can be no real gripes about the outcome of the match. Coventry were already in complete control, and there were chances following the third goal to add to the tally, too.

It was a dominant showing against the Lilywhites, akin to ones that Championship fans had gotten used to from Frank Lampard's side in the early stages of the campaign.

With nine games remaining, it'd be hard to deny Coventry pushing on and securing the second-tier title from here.

Next up is another chance to add to their impressive home record when they welcome play-off chasing Southampton to the CBS Arena. It'll be a difficult task, but if they can extend their winning run to a season-best seven games against the Saints, then it surely won't be long until the Sky Blues are back in the Premier League.