Last updated on .From the section Championship

Alan Browne opened the scoring in the fifth minute for Preston after poking home from close range

Three goals in a frantic opening 23 minutes helped Preston North End to victory against Brentford in a seven-goal thriller at Deepdale.

Alan Browne broke the deadlock early for the hosts, poking home from close range, before Callum Robinson's half-volley doubled their lead seven minutes later.

Tom Barkhuizen's goal, coming from a deflected indirect free-kick, put them firmly in control before Brentford threatened a dramatic comeback with goals from Sergi Canos and Ollie Watkins.

A second strike from Robinson extended the lead once more and despite Neal Maupay's late goal, Alex Neil's side held on to climb out of the Championship relegation zone.

Victory at Deepdale stretched Preston's unbeaten run to four games, achieving a points tally in that period (eight) greater than in their opening 10 league fixtures (five).

Robinson and the rest of the Lilywhites' attack took advantage of poor Brentford defending in the early stages, scoring his sixth and seventh goals of the season to seal victory.

Brentford, still searching for their first point under new manager Thomas Frank, saw their winless run extend to seven games.

The Bees threatened throughout a tense second half, but a brave late save in added time from Preston keeper Chris Maxwell consigned the visitors to defeat.

Preston manager Alex Neil:

"The last four games have been a big turning point for us in terms of points on the board.

"I would rather play effective football than attractive football and I thought we did that tonight. There are a lot of pleasing things from the game for us tonight.

"I think conceding three goals is naturally concerning, and it's something we know we need to work on. But we scored four goals and we arguably could have scored more.

"The table looks a bit better but we still have a lot of work to do. The pleasing thing now is I'm starting to get the solid spine of my team back that worked so well for us last year and we are looking to build on these results."

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank told BBC Radio London:

"You can't concede four goals and think you are going to win, but their first three shots on target brought three goals.

"After that we didn't give up and we attacked well. There was more belief after the first goal.

"The first 20 minutes of the second half was good but then we don't defend well enough again and it goes 4-2.

"Three goals away from home should be more than enough to win three points but we need to defend better in general. In this league you need to be on it."