Brentford 1 Crawley 0
Jonathan Douglas’ second-half header meant Brentford closed the gap on league leaders Wolves and moved a step closer to automatic promotion.
The battling midfielder met Alan Judge’s pinpoint cross on 57 minutes to move the Bees nine points clear of third-placed Rotherham, who lost at Sheffield United, and within three points of the top.
Mark Warburton’s side were far from convincing, however, dominating possession but frustrating in front of goal.
Clayton Donaldson missed four good chances in a goalless first half while Stuart Dallas shot straight at the keeper on more than one occasion in the second.
But Brentford will take three points in any shape or form at this stage of the season, with only five games to go to ensure promotion to the Championship.
Donaldson continued at centre-forward in place of Marcello Trotta but wasted shots in good positions in the opening 20 minutes.
Blackburn loanee Judge continued his rich vein of form and fizzed a shot just wide of the far post from distance just before the break.
And manager Warburton also kept faith in young winger Dallas, who was a constant threat and had an effort blocked on the line after Douglas had steered his header between the fumbling hands of Crawley keeper Paul Jones.
Brentford (4-3-3): Button; McCormack, Craig, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Forshaw (Diagouraga 88), Douglas, Saville (Reeves 68); Dallas, Donaldson, Judge (Trotta 73)
Subs not used: Bonham, O’Connor, Dean, Grigg.
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This post was last modified on 09/04/2014