Smith hails Hogan after Brentford draw

Dean Smith revealed that Scott Hogan earned a round of applause from his Brentford team-mates after the injury-time header that earned them a 1-1 draw against Bristol City.

The striker has endured a miserable couple of years, with two major knee injuries since his move from Rochdale.

And when he had an 86th-minute penalty saved by City keeper Richard O’Donnell, it looked as if the bad luck story was continuing.

But the 24-year-old had the last laugh with a glancing header to finally lift those clouds.

“I’m really pleased for him,” said Bees boss Smith.

“He got a round of applause in the dressing room afterwards. He was a long time out. It’s been a tough journey, being injured for so long – it’s been nearly two years.

“I thought he was going to score with the penalty and he struck it well, but Richard made a good save. It’s good that he got that goal at the end to exorcise a few demons.”

Smith added: “It’s really good for him and it will do him the world of good. I’ve seen a lot of him when he was playing at Rochdale and I know the sort of player he is. He’s a natural finisher.

“I have no concerns about his fitness now. Sometimes you just need that first goal to kick-start the rest of it.”