Mellor’s brace sees off Brentford

Brentford 1 Preston 3

Two goals from Neil Mellor helped condemn Brentford to their second defeat in three home matches.

Mellor netted his first following a mistake by defender Karleigh Osborne, before Niall McGinn fired the equaliser into the roof of the net after good work by Myles Weston.

Preston led at half-time courtesy of Iain Hume’s shot from the edge of the penalty area and their victory was sealed when Mellor pounced after Brentford failed to clear Barry Nicholson’s 73rd-minute free-kick.

It was a hugely disappointing result for Uwe Rosler’s side, who were heading to the top of the table before conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Colchester in midweek.

Now one point from two home matches has brought them down to earth after a hugely promising start to Rosler’s reign as manager.

Rosler made one change to the team that started Tuesday’s draw, restoring Craig Woodmnan at left-back in place of on-loan Sunderland defender Blair Adams.

For much of this game, Brentford showed why they are among the early pacesetters in League One, although in the end Preston’s class showed and they were worthy winners.

The Bees have enjoyed an impressive start to their campaign but the fact that Richard Lee has been so influential perhaps tells its own story.

Lee has been outstanding so far this season and was called into action after only three minutes, when Paul Parry crossed and Jamie Proctor’s shot was saved by the Bees keeper.

But Lee was unable to rescue his team after Osborne made a mess of an attempted backpass and former Liverpool striker Mellor nipped in to score.

Brentford hit back when McGinn netted from eight yards out after Weston collected Marcus Bean’s excellent pass and then pulled the ball back.

But North End’s lead was restored by Hume – and preserved early in the second half because Bean shot straight at goalkeeper Andreas Arestidou rather than pass to an unmarked Mike Grella.

That proved to be costly, as Preston got a decisive third goal when Nicholson floated the ball towards former QPR defender Clarke Carlisle, whose header enabled Mellor to volley home.