Brentford 1 AFC Bournemouth 0 Brentford secured a vital three points from this home clash with relegation contenders Bournemouth in a grim contest that spawned few scoring chances, yet keeps the Bees' promotion hopes alive, writes Robert Trand.

The visitors looked to cancel out the Bees' attacking options by man-marking Ijah Anderson and Michael Dobson, a tactic that proved extremely effective until minutes from full-time. They also dropped a midfielder just in front of their central defence, with the result that Ben Burgess was also anonymous for large periods of the game.

The best chance of the match fell to Owusu after Paul Evans played him in between the Bournemouth defence. The big striker outpaced his marker before bursting into the area and firing a left-footed effort wide of the far post. Owusu then went close again in the 26th minute when he instinctively stabbed a foot at a ball that appeared goalbound, however, Bournemouth keeper Gareth Stewart was alert to the danger and tipped the ball over the bar.

The second half continued in a similarly dour vein and chances for either side were few and far between. Sections of the Brentford support began to air their frustration and called upon manager Steve Coppell to change things around. Coppell obliged with 11 minutes remaining, bringing young striker Mark McCammon on for Burgess, and it was he who played a vital part in the late Brentford winner.

McCammon won a free kick when he was fouled 20 yards outside the box, skipper Paul Evans whipped the dead ball into the area and Owusu got the faintest of touches to guide the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net.

This was a crucial win for the Bees, as all wins will be from here on in, and one that keeps them in the final play-off position.

Brentford: Smith, Dobson, Ingimarsson, Powell, Anderson, Sidwell, Evans, Mahon, Hunt (Gibbs,87), Owusu, Burgess (McCammon,79). Subs unused: Rowlands, Williams, Julian.