Donaldson secures victory for Brentford

Brentford 2 Crawley 1

Clayton Donaldson’s double stretched Brentford’s unbeaten league run to five matches.

The striker put them in front midway through a Brentford-dominated first half, finishing clinically from Harry Forrester’s threaded pass.

Crawley emerged a more potent force after the break and former Bee Nicky Adams took advantage of some calamitous defending to equalise on the hour mark.

But Donaldson netted the winner 13 minutes from time, beating Reds keeper Paul Jones to a long ball and toe-poking into the gaping net.

Brentford dictated during the first half and would have been disappointed to have only led by one at the break.

Donaldson had an early effort ruled out by a late linesman’s flag while Paul Hayes, Shaleum Logan and Forrester all called Jones into action during the opening 20 minutes.

And it was the excellent Forrester who created the opening goal, his exquisite ball releasing Donaldson, who slotted past the advancing Jones.

Crawley rarely threatened in the first half, with former Bees marksman Gary Alexander – booed throughout – cutting a frustrated figure.

Although they carried a greater danger after the interval, the equaliser on the hour mark was gift-wrapped for them by the Brentford defence.

Logan played a backpass woefully short and Jonathan Forte stabbed the loose ball goalwards, where it was helped in by Adams.

Donaldson had the final say, though, as he beat Jones to Jake Bidwell’s long pass, and then outpaced defenders to shepherd it into the empty net.

Crawley sub Billy Clarke forced keeper Simon Moore into a fine save from a free-kick late on but Uwe Rosler’s men held out to record an impressive victory.

Brentford (4-4-2): Moore; Logan, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Forshaw (O’Connor 84), Diagouraga (Adeyemi 76), Douglas, Forrester; Donaldson, Hayes (El Alagui 79).
Subs not used: Dallas, Fredericks, Legge, Lee.

More to follow.

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