Brentford got 2014 off to a perfect start with a 3-1 win over Peterborough United on New Year's Day.

Adam Forshaw's penalty and a Sam Saunders strike set the Bees on their way before the break, and a Clayton Donaldson effort sealed the points in the dying moments.

The Bees took the lead after a quarter of an hour when after Saunders was brought down wide on the left of the box by Posh keeper Bobby Olejnik, and Forshaw slotted the spot-kick home.

Peterborough had a good chance to equalise almost immediately, but Britt Assomblonga sent a free kick from 20 yards wide of the right hand post.

Some determined work by Marcello Trotta saw him beat a defender on the byline and Donaldson somehow turned the ball onto the post from just a couple of yards out.

Mark Little did well to advance down the right but his early ball sailed across the six yard box untouched. Then after Alan McCormack gave the ball away, Ajose saw his shot deflected for a corner.

The Posh equalised when Jack Payne's shot from outside the box dipped in the wind and deceived David Button by dipping just under the bar.

Their lead lasted a matter of minutes as McCormack played in Saunders, whose excellent finish found the bottom right hand corner.

After Peterborough failed to clear a corner, Jake Bidwell was inches away from scoring when his shot was turned round the left hand post by Olejnik.

Brentford missed an excellent chance to extend their lead at the start of the second half when Donaldson was bundled over for what looked like a soft penalty, but Forshaw's poorly hit low shot was saved by Olejnik as he dived to his right.

Substitute Grant McCann stepped up to curl in a 20 yard free kick, which Button took comfortably.

Donaldson wrapped up the points in added on time when he converted substitute Stuart Dallas' cross from the left from close range.

Brentford: Button, McCormack, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Douglas (sub Diagouraga 40), Forshaw, Reeves (sub Logan 75); Donaldson, Trotta, Saunders (sub Dallas 59).

Subs (not used): Lee, O'Connor, Fillo, El Alagui.

Attendance: 6,343