Charlie MacDonald received the plaudits of his manager after scoring twice as Brentford won away in the north west for the second time in ten days.

The Bees beat Oldham Athletic 3-2 at a wet and windy Boundary Park with MacDonald scoring a vital equaliser on the half hour and what proved to be the winner midway through the second period.

His first – which cancelled out a fine Pawel Abbott strike – was a goal of rare quality.

A cross from loanee Lewis Grabban appeared to be almost past the Bees' hit man but he swivelled and volleyed the ball five feet off the floor back past Darryl Flahavan and into the Oldham net.

Brentford boss Andy Scott said: “Charlie has been very consistent since he came back into the side after his shoulder injury and is very important to us.

“The fact we have him on a longer contract is important for this football club.

“Charlie is very happy with the club and he knows we play to his strengths.

“His first goal was a fantastic finish.”

The Bees were indebted to Wojciech Szczesny for a couple of fine saves, particularly when Lewis Guy went through one-on-one early in the second half, but they were deserving of their win.

Pim Balkestein headed them in front from a David Hunt free kick and MacDonald – who also scored the winner as Brentford won at Stockport County a week and a half before – made it three soon after when he finished coolly from 12 yards after a lucky ricochet.

Marcus Bean saw a volley deflect narrowly wide soon after MacDonald's equaliser and and Leon Legge headed wide from four yards as Brentford dominated.

But Oldham came back into it when they were two behind, throwing bodies forward.

Szczesny saved superbly from Chris Taylor before Abbott pounced to score when a shot from the same man cannoned back off the post.

It set up a grandstand finish and Balkestein had to head an Abbott effort off the line late on but Ben Strevens could have put a gloss on the scoreline when he went through in stoppage time, only for Flahavan to save with his legs.

“It was certainly exciting,” said Scott. “Although we probably made it a little too exciting at the end.

“We had the opportunity to allow the crowd to be on their backs but we gave the ball away and allowed them to surge forward.

“There were a few tired legs at the end but they gave everything and deserved the win.

“We didn't start well but when we got the ball wide we caused problems.

“We saw a couple of good goals tonight and when we got back in it [at 1-1] we never looked back.

“We have to thank Wojciech for a couple of saves.

“It was a very exciting game – the crowd saw plenty of action.”

MacDonald said: “It's been a long couple of days, with the travelling yesterday.

“It makes it all worthwhile when you come to a place like this on a wet Tuesday night and get three points.

“It's been a great ten days. We picked up seven points in three games before tonight, now it's ten in four.

“Tonight, at times, we have done some really good things and come away with three points.

“It's very pleasing, it's been a good few away games for me personally, and the team.”