Brentford fans should not be surprised by Jake Bidwell's new found scoring ability – according to the man himself.

The former Everton youngster went 185 games without scoring for the Bees before breaking his duck against Cardiff just before Christmas.

But his free kick strike against MK Dons on Saturday , which beat everyone in the box including home keeper Charlie Burns, made it three in 24 games for Bidwell.

Well done my son: Bidwell is congratulated by his team-mates

He said: “That's three for the season now. I said after the first it would be nice to get a couple more, and it's always nice when you score and win the game too.

“I used to score three or four a season at Everton, but it's dried up a bit since I've moved up to senior football. I wanted to just get the first out the way and then carry on and see how many more I could get.

“I like to think I've always had it in me. Being involved in set pieces, either taking them or being in the box, gives me a chance. That's where all my goals this season have come from, and if I can get one from open play, that would be great too.

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“With set pieces from that side (at MK) you aim for the back post so if everyone misses it, it goes in, and that's what happened. I've been working hard on my set pieces these last few weeks, so it was nice to see it pay off today.”

After the game, Bees boss Dean Smith insisted his side, who have now won five and drawn one of their last six, are playing no better at times than when they previously won just one out of nine – something Bidwell agrees with.

He said: “Before the international break, if anyone had said we could finish 10 or top half, we'd have snapped your hand off, so credit to the staff and players for turning it around.

“The break gave us time to go away and recharge mentally, and we've come back and looked a bit more organised. But like the gaffer said, it's not been a massive change in performances. Everyone used the break in the right way and came back refreshed.

“A bit of luck and confidence plays a massive part. With the run we were on, you can get a bit bogged down, and as soon as we got that one win you could see it was a massive relief. We will look carry it on in the next three games and finish above QPR and Fulham , at the top of the West London table.

“It won't be a bad season all things considered if we do, and will give us a solid base to build on going forward. It's just a shame we couldn't have started this run a little earlier, as might have been able to sneak a late run for the play-offs, but there's plenty still to play for.”