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Ollie Watkins has scored six goals in 16 games for Brentford since joining from Exeter ahead of this season

Ollie Watkins scored the decisive goal as Brentford beat Preston in a thrilling contest at Deepdale.

Nico Yennaris headed the Bees in front after Florian Jozefzoon's shot had been saved, but Sean Maguire levelled for the hosts from 15 yards.

Romaine Sawyers' strike restored Brentford's lead, before Tom Barkhuizen equalised from the edge of the box.

Watkins finally secured the three points when he fired in from Jozefzoon's low cross.

Brentford are now unbeaten in seven league games, having taken only three points from their first seven matches of the season.

Their impressive run of form has seen them climb to 18th, six points above the relegation zone and six outside the play-off places.

But they had midfielder Yennaris stretchered off just before half-time after receiving significant medical treatment, having seemingly being caught by Preston striker Jordan Hugill's shoulder.

Preston are now without a victory in four league games, their third league defeat of the season dropping them to ninth in the Championship table.

Alex Neil's side, who have conceded nine goals during their winless run, have not kept a clean sheet since a goalless draw with Millwall on 23 September.

Preston manager Alex Neil:

"The game was patchy, without one team being dominant throughout the 90 minutes. We started well and then, when we got the equaliser, we finished the half well and started the second well.

"When we went 2-2, we were the team in the ascendancy and then we get caught with a sloppy goal to make it 3-2.

"Both teams had spells when they were on top but unfortunately for us they scored more goals when they were on top."

Brentford manager Dean Smith:

"Nico Yennaris is okay now. He can't remember the goal, as he got a whack. Nobody saw it at the time but when you see it back (on video) it could easily be a red card.

"Hugill could easily get out of the way but he's dipped his shoulder into Nico's head. It's an unfortunate incident but Nico is good which is the important thing.

"He's just gone to block Nico but he's ended up catching him on the side of the face so it's a disappointing one to see."