Saunders gives Bees away victory

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Rochdale 1 Brentford 2

Sam Saunders netted a 78th-minute winner for Brentford at Spotland.

Saunders has been in sparkling form in recent weeks and delivered for the Bees again, collecting Mike Grella’s flick-on and firing home from a tight angle.

Brentford went ahead when Gary Alexander netted from the penalty spot after his strike partner Clayton Donaldson had been fouled in the area by Stephen Jordan.

Referee Gary Sutton did not hesitate before pointing to the spot after Jordan pushed Donaldson in the back, and Alexander smashed his kick straight down the middle.

Rochdale responded strongly and Dean Holden went close to equalising with an overhead kick before Ashley Grimes’ effort went narrowly wide.

The home side were rewarded for their persistence when Brian Barry-Murphy’s 65th-minute corner was headed in by defender Marcus Holness.

But Saunders had the final word and Brentford’s victory took them up to seventh in the table – only two points short of the play-off places.

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