ROBERTO Di Matteo praised his players for fighting the fatigue to rack up a fourth successive win inside 11 days against in-form Preston.

The head coach admitted his team need to tighten up defensively, after twice seeing two-goal cushions pegged back by North End.

Goals in the opening nine minutes from on-loan Ben Watson - his first for the club - and Chris Brunt - his 11th of the term - put Albion firmly in control.

Sean St Ledger capitalised on poor marking to pull one back before Graham Dorrans made it 3-1 on 33 with a stunning 30-yard free-kick.

Neil Mellor was allowed to reduce the arrears again two minutes before the break.

But Albion were rarely troubled after the interval and, in fact, created enough chances to add a fourth.

Di Matteo claimed there were mitigating circumstances for his team's lapses in concentration today, none more so than their recent glut of fixtures.

But he admitted Albion's goals against record of 42 conceded in 38 games needs to improve.

"We're delighted to have got maximum points from our four games in 11 days," beamed Di Matteo.

"You can see how demanding it is on the players.

"They can't keep the same tempo going for 90 minutes. Sometimes, people don't understand that.

"We need to do well in our home games so they were an important three points today.

"We are very pleased to have won.

"We made a very good, strong start and scored twice.

"I was very pleased with that because we looked in control.

"You need to give respect to the opposition and they tried hard to get back into the game.

"But I was very disappointed with the two goals we conceded.

"Those are mistakes we shouldn't make.

"Thankfully, we don't make them too often."

Di Matteo then quipped: "I suppose we just wanted to make the game a bit more interesting!

"There's never a dull moment watching us!"

But he stressed: "It's right for people to point out how many goals we've conceded.

"We need to do better defensively.

"There's no question about that.

"On the other hand, we've had to change the back four quite often - and that doesn't help."

Albion certainly don't need to make much improvement at the other end of the field, having taken their goal tally in all competitions to an impressive 92.

"The people who come to watch us are getting their money's worth!" joked Di Matteo.

"It's all about finding a balance, so that you're solid enough when you need to defend but you don't lose too much when you're going forward.

"Our game plan isn't to simply outscore the opposition, so to speak.

"I would like to be a bit more solid and to keep more clean sheets.

"But we haven't had much chance to work on those areas on the training pitch due to how many games we've had to play."

Dorrans capped yet another impressive display with his 16th goal of the season.

And Di Matteo admitted he was shocked to see the Scotland international's free-kick fly into the top corner (pictured below).

"It was a magnificent goal," he added.

"It surprised me, to be honest.

"I didn't realise he had that kind of strike from a set piece in his locker.

"He's left it a bit late by not producing it until March!

"But it was good to get that cushion again in the game. It was an important goal."

Di Matteo added: "Only time will tell how good Dozza can become.

"He's having a good season but he still has margins to improve - and he knows that.

"So we can't answer the question of how good he can become at this moment in time.

"But I have no doubt that he can play at a higher level in the Premier League."

Albion's win preserved their eight-point cushion over third-placed Nottingham Forest - who beat basement boys Peterborough 1-0 - with eight matches to play.

The Baggies' 13th home win of the season also moved them within two points of leaders Newcastle, who drew 2-2 at Bristol City, although the Toon have a game in hand.

However, Di Matteo was once again quick to stress there is still plenty of hard work ahead for Albion to make certain of an automatic promotion place.

"Nothing has been achieved," he added.

"Nothing has changed from Tuesday, other than that's another game out of the way.

"We've got another game this Wednesday and it is just as important we do well in that one because the teams behind us keep picking up points.

"We're in a good position but you can lose it very quickly.

"When you play two games in a week, and don't do well, things can change very quickly.