Brentford 1-0 Preston: Bees move to within a point of second-placed West Brom

Nobody can accuse Brentford of giving up the chase easily. They knew that only perfection would be good enough when football came back last month and perfection they have delivered.

Seven games post-restart, seven victories. Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, nailed-on for automatic promotion for so long, must be sick of the sight of them. The pesky Bees that can’t be swatted away.

This wasn’t vintage stuff from Thomas Frank’s team – only glimpses of their class were forthcoming – but it was enough to move back within a single point of West Brom in second, within three of leaders Leeds.

Brentford striker Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the fourth minute on Wednesday night

Baggies manager Slaven Bilic spoke of nervousness in his ranks and is it any wonder? Every time they inch closer to the Premier League, Brentford keep them sweating.

But it’s also true that Brentford don’t have their destiny in their own hands. They will, in all likelihood, have to win at Stoke on Saturday and against Barnsley here at Griffin Park next Wednesday. You wouldn’t put it past them.

Yet equally, West Brom will need something at Huddersfield on Friday and then probably something more against QPR next week. The nerves will jangle.

Watkins ran on to a through ball from Emiliano Marcondes and lashed his shot into the net

Watkins netted his 25th goal of the season to put Brentford ahead early on against Preston

Ollie Watkins’ early goal proved enough here, whacking a huge dent in Preston’s play-off ambitions in the process. Five points off sixth, Alex Neil’s side will need favours.

It took Watkins just three minutes to open the scoring in Brentford’s win at Derby on Saturday. This time, he needed four.

Brentford do enjoy a lightning start and the slickness of their movement to create the opener was simply too good for half-awake Preston.

Emiliano Marcondes was the creator following a patient passing build-up, scooping a through pass with the outside of his right boot that allowed Watkins to steal a yard on the defenders. The rest was inevitable, a powerful rising shot past Declan Rudd.

It was a milestone goal. Not only Watkins’ 25th of the season but one that nudged him ahead of Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic at the top of the Championship scoring charts.

But it was also symbolic in that it matched Neal Maupay’s contribution to Brentford’s Championship campaign last season. When Maupay was sold to Brighton, it was Watkins burdened with replacing him. How he has delivered.

Brentford winger Said Benrahma fired just past the post after a mazy run across the box

But Preston are made of stern stuff as they chase the top six and the early setback didn’t rattle them. Soon the lively Tom Barkhuizen was galloping through, played in by Daniel Johnson, and it took a strong hand by Brentford keeper David Raya to deny him.

Then Watkins was demonstrating his all-round worth, blocking with his back on the edge of the box after Ryan Ledson snapped an effort following a half-cleared corner.

But when it clicks for Brentford going forward, it’s a feast for the eyes. Another sweet passing move teased the Preston back line before Marcondes saw his shot deflected over.

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya produced  an acrobatic save to deny the visitors

One more patient, probing move on the stroke of half-time should have delivered a second. Space suddenly appeared down the left, with Said Benrahma exchanging passes with Watkins before unleashing a rocket shot that Rudd kept out with strong wrists.

Before that, Preston might have levelled but for Raya’s outstretched arms when Darnell Fisher’s devious 30-yard free-kick dipped nicely over the wall.

And another set-piece caused Brentford peril just after half-time. Watkins was again in the right place to clear, smashing the ball to safety via the midriff of team-mate Marcondes, who crumpled to the turf in pain.

Brentford were soon back into the groove, with all three of their ‘BMW’ forward line involved in a move through the centre. Bryan Mbeumo to Benrahma and on to Watkins, who fired over. Benrahma tried his luck from distance shortly afterwards, the ball dropping wide.

Preston forward Sean Maguire battles for possession with Brentford captain Pontus Jansson

Frank didn’t reach for the tactics board during the second-half drinks break as he did in Brentford’s last home game against Charlton but it was clear a second goal may be necessary to make sure.

Benrahma did his best to oblige, first whistling a low shot wide and then dodging challenges as he drove through the Preston box to work shooting space before firing off target.

A raft of substitutions slowed the tempo but Raya had to get down to keep out Josh Harrop’s header in the closing minutes.