Bees deserved a draw – Smith

Brentford head coach Dean Smith felt his side’s performance in defeat against league leaders Middlesbrough merited at least a draw.

A Daniel Ayala goal, following an error from Bees keeper David Button, was all that separated the teams at Griffin Park.

But Smith insisted Brentford were unlucky to come away without a point.

He said: “I thought we were marginally the better team today and deserved a draw at least so very disappointed.

“We’ve created chances against a team who have gone a long time without conceding a goal, we just didn’t take them. On another day we would have.

“You’ve got to give credit to their goalkeeper as well for a couple of saves he made.”

With a punishing schedule of three games in six days, Liverpool loanee Sergi Canos was rested and Sam Saunders handed his first Brentford start in a year.

Smith said Saunders earned the chance against Boro after showing good attitude in the build-up to the game.

He added: “Sam’s had the bit between his teeth in training. He looks the part and I felt it was right to give him a start.

“Sam did OK, he can be pleased with what he did in his first start for a long time.

“With Sergi, I just worry about [his fitness for] three games in a week. We have to manage every player individually and that’s what we’re doing.”