Martin Allen started his career as Brentford manager with a tense 3-2 victory over Rushden and Diamonds at Griffin Park.
Allen was greeted with a standing ovation by the Brentford fans as he walked across the pitch to his dugout for the first time on a blustery day in west London.
With the sound of the great escape greeting the players as they walked onto the pitch and the words of the new manager still ringing in their ears Brentford looked like a team with renewed vigour.
They started the game much the brighter of the two teams as they harassed and harried the Rushden players whenever they were on the ball as they looked to impress Allen.
It was no surprise then when the home side took the lead after Jay Tabb stabbed the ball home from six yards to score after Stephen Hunt's cross caused mayhem in the box on 26 minutes.
Hunt got the second just a minute later when he sprinted in at the far post to fire home the rebound after Rushden's Billy Turley saved well from Matt Harrold's shot.
Brentford looked dangerous on every attack and their third came on 36 minutes. Stewart Talbot curled his drive in from thirty yards after he picked up a loose ball in midfield.
The kick off was delayed by half an hour because the visitors were stuck in traffic and it obviously affected their preparations as they didn't really get started in this game.
Rodney Jack was impressive and full of running but the lack of service and support from his team-mates reduced his game to one of chasing shadows.
The visitors rallied in the second half and got one back on 75 minutes when Andy Burgess poked the ball home from two yards.
Onandi Lowe clawed back a second to ensure a dramatic finish but the damage was done before the break.