Robinson later scored his second to restore Preston’s two goal cushion before Bees top scorer Neal Maupay added his side’s third just before full-time.

The visitors started well as Watkins’ third minute corner was headed back across goal by Canos for Bees skipper Henrik Dalsgaard whose effort was blocked.

But the Lilywhites took a fifth minute lead when Robinson’s shot deflected into Browne’s path and he slotted past Daniel Bentley from close range.

Preston extended their advantage after 12 minutes when the Brentford defence stood off Robinson outside the box and he lashed a powerful effort past Bentley.

Referee Scott Duncan awarded an indirect free-kick after Bentley collected Kamohelo Mokotjo’s backpass and from the set piece, Preston capitalised as Lukas Nmecha curled towards the wall for Barkhuizen to score from close range after 23 minutes.

But the Bees grabbed one back before the half hour with a thunderous Canos effort after he cut in from the left to let fly into the top corner past Chris Maxwell.

Nmecha’s powerful strike 10 minutes from the break deflected off Yoann Barbet into the side netting, while Barkhuizen later delivered a precise cross from the left wing for Robinson whose looping header went wide.

Romaine Sawyers then let fly and Maxwell spilled the powerful effort, the Brentford man later curling a fierce stoppage time effort over.

After the restart, Maxwell denied both Nico Yennaris and Canos as the Bees started well, while Bentley showed his reflexes at the other end to stop Ben Pearson.

Brentford further reduced the deficit as Watkins’ low 56th minute effort crept in after taking deflections off Darnell Fisher and Barkhuizen to give the Bees hope.

But Preston restored their two-goal cushion when Daniel Johnson drove into the area and squared for Robinson to net his second with just over 20 minutes left.

Maupay responded for the Londoners as an 85th minute corner was flicked on and the marksman buried into the roof of the net but the visitors could not find an equaliser.

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