Two goals in three minutes saw Brentford beat fellow strugglers Preston North End at Griffin Park.

The Bees, who lost 3-1 at Middlesbrough in midweek, fell behind after only 33 seconds as Joe Garner saw his initial shot blocked before Daniel Johnson smashed the loose ball into the top corner.

Moments later, Preston almost doubled their advantage as Johnson turned provider with a cross in the direction of Stevie May, but the Scottish forward's header failed to test David Button.

Konstantin Kerschbaumer then saw his shot saved by Jordan Pickford before May's strike at the other end was tipped away by Button.

Garner then had a good chance to increase the Lilywhites' lead late in the first half at Griffin Park as he headed goalwards, only for Button claw the ball away.

Brentford managed to equalise just after the hour mark as ex-IFK Gothenburg attacker Lasse Vibe latched onto a cross from substitute Sergi Canos before steering his effort into the bottom corner of Pickford's net.

However, the Bees then took the lead on 65 minutes as a cushioned header from Jake Bidwell fell into the path of Marco Djuricin, who scored on his first home start for the Londoners.

Preston came close to drawing level with 17 minutes left as a Johnson corner was headed over the bar by Will Keane.

Johnson also had a chance late on to snatch a point for the Lilywhites, but the winger's strike drifted wide as Preston slip into the bottom three.