Lewis Cox's West Brom analysis: Progress shown as Baggies learn lessons to respond with important win

The miserable 3-0 defeat at Millwall was a horrible way to sign off for the international break and left Albion with two weeks to plot a response.

Head coach Ryan Mason was clear about how his players had to suffer the pain from their capital punishment last time out - and more importantly ensure it was a feeling they were not subjected to too often again moving forward.

Defeats are par for the course, but that one came with a performance that delivered no positives.

Albion looked a different side in Saturday's 2-1 victory over a handy Preston North End outfit who have started the Championship season in eye-catching style.

It was a much-needed victory at The Hawthorns for a couple of reasons, not least it was the first opportunity to strike back from the misery of last time out.

Moreover, Mason's side had previously only tasted victory at home once in five attempts in all competitions - four in the league - and that came way back on the opening day against Blackburn on August 9.

The Baggies had taken more points from their travels than they had in front of their own supporters prior to Saturday, an unusual statistic never likely to last too far into a season and one that will do no favours to those in charge.

Mason was well aware of this and the victory over Preston - who started the day in fourth, two points above their hosts - was a perfect tonic for the Baggies to get their campaign back on track and kickstart another busy period.

The contest was decided by two moments of individual brilliance in the final third that saw the hosts take it away from Paul Heckingbottom's visitors.

There had been little between the sides for much of an even opening period, indeed Preston edged the first half hour in a clash that took some time to get going but was watchable once it did.

A couple of key moments went against the Lancashire visitors and in Albion's favour - and from there the hosts' quality told.

Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price both enjoyed positive starts to the season for Albion but had been more quiet in recent games.

They were both at their influential attacking best to make the difference for their side on Saturday with two strikes right out of the top drawer enough to ultimately decide where the points would end up.

Winger Johnston was the most dangerous attacker on the pitch. Even prior to his opener five minutes before half-time he had been at his tricky and direct best, constantly testing the Lilywhites' backline.

Preston paid for affording Johnston a few yards' space outside the box as the winger cut in from the left on his right foot and smashed a dipping rocket into the top left corner for just a second goal of the season and first since August.

Attacking midfielder Price started the season on fire as his club's star man but his influence had dried up more recently. He struggled especially, with many others, at The Den.

But Price swept a classy finish into the top corner with his instep after great work from the impressive Alex Mowatt to double the lead just after the hour for his fourth of the season but first in more than two months.

Things could have been very different.

Preston's backroom staff were left raging and Heckingbottom did not mince his words afterwards as referee Andrew Kitchen turned down a big early penalty appeal as Albion's Toby Collyer appeared to trip Harrison Armstrong.

It looked like Collyer could be in trouble in real time, but Kitchen immediate signalled for the ball. Heckingbottom said later the referee indicated to his fourth official there had been contact with the ball - something the away boss did not agree with having seen replays. He even suggested refereeing body PGMOL chief Kevin Friend had been in touch suggesting an incorrect call.

Albion - and unusually off-colour defender Chris Mepham - had goalkeeper Josh Griffiths to thank for denying Milutin Osmajic one-on-one while goalless.

Preston pulled one back through Michael Smith late on and it signalled for anxiety in the stands. The hosts had been here before this season at home to Derby and Leicester, games they have deserved wins from and taken just a point.

There was little sign of that here, though, suggesting lessons learned.

Mason will be chuffed and encouraged his troops rode out a very questionable nine minutes of stoppages with little fuss in another show of progress.