Paul Williams’ dismissal against Preston has proved to be costly, while the game was also one in the eye for Youssef Chippo.

Williams was so incensed at being sent off against the Division One outfit at the Sky Blues ran out 3-1 winners that he kicked out at the fourth official’s electronic board.

And he now has to pick up the £3,700 bill for replacing the equipment as he smashed it.

Coventry City are appealing for the red card Williams received for two bookable offences to be rescinded.

Manager Gordon Strachan has revealed that his report on the game contains criticisms of the referee, but he would not say exactly what he had written.

He was upset that the official Jeff Winter gave Preston a penalty for a pull by the player wearing the number 2 shirt, Marc Edworthy, even though the player was nowhere near the incident.

Preston’s penalty was converted by Coventry-born Graham Alexander.

Both Strachan and Williams maintain the second yellow card was harsh as the centre-back and Preston’s Paul McKenna both slid off the pitch.

Chippo had to be substituted after being poked in the eye as the team celebrated Marcus Hall’s goal on the stroke of halftime.

As the players mobbed Hall, someone’s finger caught Chippo, and he had to be substituted early in the second half. He could now miss Saturday’s game against West Ham.

Coventry are in a good position ahead of next week’s second leg, with an early Ysrael Zuniga goal and a Gavin Strachan penalty giving the Sky Blues the advantage.

Zuniga’s good form means he could be given the nod over £6.5 million signing Craig Bellamy at the weekend.