Preston 2-3 West Brom: Darren Moore says there is 'more to come' from Albion
- Published
Daren Moore's West Brom have won five out of their last six matches in the Championship.
West Brom boss Darren Moore promised there was "more to come" from his side after they moved to the top of the Championship table with victory at Preston.
After Ryan Ledson hit the post for North End in the first half, Rodriguez headed home Jake Livermore's cross.
Preston drew level when Andrew Hughes curled home the free-kick, but a Ben Davies own goal restored Albion's lead.
Gayle made it three with a free-kick of his own before Alan Browne headed Preston's second in added time.
"A win in this league is always good and to pick up three points on the road. I thought we were worthy winners today." Darren Moore told BBC Radio WM after the match.
"I always felt that we were in control of the game but just needed more urgency in possession of the ball to move them around a bit more. I have no complaints, the boys found the way to win the game."
The victory puts West Brom one point clear of Leeds, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, while Preston dropped to the bottom with only five points from 10 games.
Jay Rodriguez's goal was his seventh of the season for West Brom
"We're a team in transition, we're a team trying to progress, we're a team trying to get results in a very tough division." Moore added.
"I really do feel there is more to come and together, collectively as a group, a unit and a football club we have to keep working.
"It's the whole group that has given us the platform to move forward and we have to keep moving forward."
In the first game between the two sides for eight years, Albion made the faster start and Chris Maxwell had to be alert to push away Kyle Bartley's header.
But Preston came closest in the opening 45 minutes as Alan Browne played the ball back to Ledson, who saw his effort cannon off the upright.
The Baggies asserted themselves after the restart and soon went in front as Rodriguez beat marker Jordan Storey to Livermore's ball into the box and headed powerfully into the top corner.
Hughes' equaliser gave North End hope of avoiding a fourth successive defeat, but Craig Dawson's cross skimmed off Davies' head keeper Maxwell could not keep it out of the net.
Gayle's goal appeared to have made things safe for Albion, but Preston were not finished and Browne reduced the deficit after Louis Moult had an effort saved by Sam Johnstone.
Preston boss Alex Neil said:
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the table.
"We need to pick up a lot more points and pick them up quickly. Winning is a habit and losing can also be a habit. The fact is that we need to muck in together and it's frustrating for the players and the coach.
"All we can do is keeping working hard, they're a good bunch and they want to put it right. We've got two really important games coming up then a break then a batch of really important games. I think the character of the players and the club is that we don't give up, we keep going."