Brentford 0 Doncaster Rovers 1

Last updated : 25 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
A classy display from Doncaster Rovers put another dent in Brentford's hopes of securing automatic promotion from the tightly competitive League One with a well deserved 1-0 victory.

It was the Yorkshire side's first victory at Griffin Park for 20 years and Brentford's third defeat in a row as the home side continued its alarming slump in form at just the wrong time of the season.

It was a traditional tale of two halves after a lacklustre and dour first 45 was followed by a half overflowing with attacking football and incidents.

The visitors claimed the best of a poor first half and always looked likely to claim the first goal even before they hit the crossbar twice in two second half minutes.

Striker Neil Roberts, who was desperately unlucky not to score after having two efforts cleared off the line and hitting the bar in the first five minutes of the second half, turned provider in the 58th minute squaring a neat ball to the impressive midfielder Sean Thornton who side-footed home from 12 yards.

It was no more than Doncaster deserved but Jason Price and Thornton dominated midfield.

The goal was a blow for Brentford after they had started the second half brightly with the industrious Jay Tabb forcing two fine saves from Alan Blayney in the Doncaster goal.

However, the home side had lost the initiative from the first whistle and their disjointed display seemed to affect Doncaster who, despite being a better side in the first half, took 42 minutes to force the first save.

A triple substitution midway through the second half told of Brentford's disarray and it was Doncaster that continued to look dangerous. Bees boss Martin Allen has just a few days to arrest his teams worrying slump while Doncaster move confidently into ninth position.