A goal in each half, plus a Simon Moore penalty save, gave Brentford their second league win within a week as they beat Carlisle United 2-1 at Griffin Park on Saturday.

It proved a hard fought win over a determined Carlisle side, as the Bees proved they could hold onto a narrow lead and seal all three points.

Harry Forrester threatened early, with a snap shot wide of the post from just outside the box, while Carlisle's Bradley Potts sent a speculative shot over the bar.

Brentford took the lead when a well worked corner routine saw Forrester send a ball from the left deep to the back post, where Jonathan Douglas struck a perfectly timed volley past Adam Collin.

Yet the Bees held their lead for only six minutes, when Kallum Higginbotham broke down the left and found Joe Garner, who waltzed through the heart of the Bees' defence and fired past Moore.

An elaborately worked free kick routine ended with Potts firing so high over the goal that the ball also cleared the Ealing Road stand's roof, while Garner picked the ball up outside the box and lashed it wide of the left hand post.

Simon Moore made a smart save just before the break when he palmed away a fierce shot from Potts.

Brentford re-organised at half time to match Carlisle's five man midfield and it paid dividends with a much improved performance during the second half.

Adam Forshaw was at the heart of things, with a shot well saved by Collin, while more Bees pressure shortly after saw anther Forshaw shot deflected behind for a corner.

Brentford continued to press and got their reward on the hour mark when a corner from the right wasn't cleared and the ball was blasted home from close range by Paul Hayes.

As Carlisle looked to get back into the game Garner's shot was blocked by two diving defenders, while Mike Edwards followed up and shot wide.

With a quarter of an hour remaining United were awarded a penalty after Tony Craig was adjudged to have pushed David Symington, yet Moore pulled off a fine low save to deny Garner from the spot.

Carlisle's last real chance came when Mark Beck headed onto the roof of the net and Brentford did enough to hold on during the final few minutes.


Brentford: Moore, Logan, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Forshaw (sub Saunders 87), Douglas, Diagouraga, Forrester (sub Barron 83); Hayes, Donaldson

Subs (not used): Lee, German, Dallas, Pierre, Oyeleke

Attendance: 6763
Man of the Match: Toumani Diagouraga

Goals: Douglas 20, Hayes 61