Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde have nothing on Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion side. Unable to win away, they are transformed into a potent force when surrounded by the comforts of home at The Hawthorns.

Promotion rivals Preston became the latest side to discover just how powerful Albion can be in front of their owns fans as goals by Jason Koumas, Diomansy Kamara and a decisive double by Nathan Ellington fired them to victory.

But that bald statistic tells only half the story. Albion's football at home may be exciting but it is real edge-ofthe-seat stuff for their long suffering fans.

Albion led 2-0, thanks to Koumas and Kamara, before being hauled back by a Graham Alexander penalty and a David Nugent goal. All the more galling was that Preston had been down to ten men for the final 49 minutes after ex-Albion striker Danny Dichio was sent off for elbowing Paul McShane.

Mowbray's commitment to attack may be too 'full on' at times but it did pay its full dividend as Ellington came off the bench to score twice in the last 15 minutes to rescue Albion.

The victory took Albion's points tally from their 12 home matches this season to a hugely impressive 29.

In contrast, they have garnered only 11 from 13 away matches. It is crystal clear to Mowbray where his problems lie.

A poker-faced Mowbray, who revealed the team were watched by Ronnie Wallwork in his first appearance at the club since being stabbed, said: "If you want goals this is the place to come.

"We started fantastically well and then Preston got a lifeline with a penalty. As sometimes happens we did not step on the gas when Preston were reduced to ten men.

"The second goal we conceded was very sloppy but what was great to see from us was the spirit to put their foot on the gas to steamroller the last 20 minutes.

"To have the ability to win games and score goals when you have to is a powerful tool.

"I know we are now in the top six but what matters is where we are in May. Where we are now doesn't win any prizes. This stage of the season is all about winning games and accumulating points.

" We know we can win games here , what we need to do is get some wins away.

to address that by getting two draws in our last two away games. Now we need to turn those draws into wins."

Ellington came to Albion's rescue in some style and Mowbray has dismissed speculation that the striker could be sold back to Wigan Athletic next month.

He said: "The more strikers you have the better chance you have to win games. I am delighted for Nathan as he stays on the training ground to work on his finishing.

"I know the first goal had a helping hand from the goal-keeper but Nathan has got his rewards for the work that he has been putting in.

"He is a great lad and he really wants to improve as a player. He has got a big part to play here.

"He will get better and he is the kind of player who believes that he will score every time that he plays."

Koumas underlined his own importance to Albion with a classy piece of finishing in the sixth minute when he collected a crossfield ball from Darren Carter and cut inside Alexander before curling his shot beyond Carlo Nash to score his fifth goal of the season - all in the last seven games.

Albion doubled their advantage when Carter led a charge upfield and picked out central defender Curtis Davies in an unaccustomed left-wing role. Davies's centre would have impressed Koumas. Kamara finished off the flowing three-man move with a low drive from 12 yards.

It should have marked the beginning of the end for Preston but Paul Robinson literally handed them a way back.

He was adjudged by referee Scott Mathieson to have handled Matty Hill's cross and Preston skipper Alexander calmly converted from the spot in the 34th minute.

From a team that had been cruising, Albion suddenly looked distinctly nervous and they should have taken control again four minutes before half time when Dichio was dismissed.

But Albion seemed content to try to sit back on their lead and paid the price as Preston deservedly equalised when Nugent turned home Chris Sedgwick's cross in the 66th minute.

Albion were shell-shocked and looking grateful to hold on for a point before the intervention of Ellington.

While his first goal in the 75th minute was down to a howler by goalkeeper Nash, who spilled his 20 yard free kick, his second was a classy header from Robinson's cross.