SILENT BARK FOR DOGGED NORTH END

BRENTFORD

Jozefzoon 62

PRESTON

Barkhuizen 54 TOM BARKHUIZEN is happy for Preston to play the role of silent assassins – and stay under the promotion-chasing radar.

And North End’s goalscorer at Brentford also mounted a spirited defence of his team’s robust and physical tactics.

Ten-man Preston’s mood was lifted by play-off rivals Fulham and Bristol City also letting leads slip.

But despite a muscular display that drew criticism from Bees chief Dean Smith and his players, the Lilywhites – who are one place and three points shy of the play-off places – are rarely mentioned as promotion possibles.

Barkhuizen (above) said: “For us it’s just about staying around it. We have gone under the radar and we don’t get the recognition that we deserve, but that’s how we like it. Teams probably don’t take us as seriously as they might and it seems to work in our favour.

“We had about 20 minutes with 10 men but the squad sticks together. From the word go we got in their faces and they didn’t like it – and they got on to the referee from minute one. But it is working well for us.”

Florian Jozefzoon got a 62nd-minute equaliser for the Bees and Preston had Greg Cunningham sent off 12 minutes later for a second yellow card.

Brentford may be eight points adrift, but are still targeting the play-offs. Ollie Watkins said: “If we win the next two games, and results go our way, then we are back in it. So you keep believing.”