Brentford started the busy festive period with an impressive 3-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday.

In League One's game of the day between two sides challenging for promotion the Bees established a two goal cushion by the midway point of the first half through goals by Adam Forshaw and Marcello Trotta and never looked back.

Early on Clayton Donaldson broke down the right but his teasing cross into the six yard box was scrambled clear.

After the Bees' wall blocked a free kick the ball was picked up by Scott Laird wide on the left and his low in-swinging ball was gathered by David Button.

Brentford threatened on the break when Kadeem Harris crossed from the left wing, Trotta nodded it on and Donaldson headed over when free at the back post.

Midway through the half Donaldson burst through down the right side of the box and was taken out by Preston keeper Declan Rudd.

Forshaw stepped up to place the resulting penalty into the bottom right hand corner.

Two minutes later Brentford doubled their lead when Forshaw took a through ball and after his shot was parried, knocked it back into the box and Trotta calmly slotted it past Rudd and off the left hand post into the net.

Preston won a corner on the edge of the 'D' after Laird was fouled, but John Welsh's low free kick struck the wall.

The home side started the second half with renewed purpose and early on Chris Humphrey found himself on the ball inside Brentford's box with time and space, but dallied too long and saw his shot blocked.

The Lilywhites were awarded a penalty when referee Darren Deadman adjudged that a Bees' defender was guilty of tugging his opponent's shirt but Joel Garner hit his penalty straight at Button, who made an excellent block.

Minutes later Kevin Davies missed a good chance when he headed wide of the right hand post.

Substitute Sam Saunders sealed an impressive win when he showed great skill to control the ball on the right of the six yard box and fire home past Rudd at his near post.

Brentford: Button, McCormack, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Douglas, Forshaw, Saville (Reeves 80); Donaldson, Trotta (Grigg 64), Harris (Saunders 38).

Subs (not used): Lee, Logan, O'Connor, El Alagui.

Attendance: 10,302