Tranmere Rovers 1 Brentford 4

Last updated : 18 December 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Brentford powered to their sixth away victory, 4-1 at Tranmere Rovers, to maintain their promotion challenge in League One.

They rattled the struggling Merseysiders with two goals in two minutes early in the first period and their fourth goal, just eighth minutes in into the second half, settled things.

Little went right for Tranmere, who twice hit the woodwork in the first period, but they were thoroughly demoralised in the last half-hour, when they never looked like making a fight of it.

Skipper Ricky Newman found the target for Brentford in the 12th minute from a Lloyd Owusu pass after home keeper Steve Wilson had beaten out a Marcus Gayle shot.

Jay Tabb, who was superb in the Brentford midfield, doubled the margin on 14 minutes with a superbly struck free-kick from the corner of the box.

Tranmere caused all sorts of problems for the suspect Bees rearguard. Michael Jackson headed onto a post before Calvin Zola netted from eight yards from a partially cleared 23rd minute corner.

But Brentford restored their two-goal cushion on 32 minutes. Home keeper Steve Wilson impeded Owusu and Kevin O'Connor fired home from the penalty spot.

Delroy Facey hit the bar for Tranmere on 35 minutes and Tabb met with the same misfortune for Brentford with a terrific 30-yard effort in first half injury time.

The killer punch from Brentford came on 53 minutes when Owusu was given an easy opportunity from a pull-back by Paul Brooker.