Bumbling Brown costs Bees dear

1:17pm Monday 21st April 2008

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A calamitous gaffe from keeper Simon Brown set the tone for Brentford as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on Saturday, writes Simon Webster.

Brown's mistake, set to appear on A Question of Sport's what happened next' round in the future, summed up a poor display from a Brentford side that already appeared to have one eye on their summer holidays.

It certainly earned the wrath of manager Andy Scott.

"I think that is the first time since I've been in charge that I have been very disappointed with the way we played," he said.

"That has shown me a lot. As a team we didn't defend well enough, we didn't get enough second ball, we didn't keep the ball moving or hold the ball up front.

"I was very disappointed with how things went today."

Scott claimed afterwards that he had issued a frank reminder to his players that he is looking to add up to eight players to his squad for next season and after such a poor display many had to improve if they wanted to feature next season.

Scott made two changes to the side that drew with Bradford last weekend.

After Craig Pead failed a late fitness test (knee) he took the opportunity to look at Kevin O'Connor at right back and to see how John Mousinho looked in midfield alongside Gary Smith.

Alan Connell's recall (at the expense of Ricky Shakes) was the only other change.

Brentford actually opened brightly and had several chances to take the lead in a busy first five minutes.

Connell's turn and shot from 20 yards was fumbled behind by Ayden Duffy, who was soon in action again when he pulled off a smart diving save to deny Nathan Elder's header from a Smith corner.

Lincoln were more than a match for the visitors and midway through the half a surging run from midfield by Lee Frecklington saw him crack a 20 yard shot off the post.

The Imps eventually opened the scoring six minutes before half time when a speculative cross from Gary King on the left edge of the box was turned into his own net by Brown.

Despite this set back Brentford came flying back and levelled on the stroke of half time when Elder's firm header from six yards gave Duffy no chance.

At the start of the second half Glenn Poole looked to have been tugged back as he broke into the box, but referee Boyeson refused to award a penalty.

Poole was again involved when his shot from a Shakes cross was blocked in the box.

Brentford fell behind after 66 mins when Mousinho bundled over Jamie Forrester right on the edge of Brentford's box.

Once Forrester had dusted himself down he unleashed a fierce shot that beat the wall and left Brown rooted to the spot as it landed in the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Lincoln completed a miserable trip north for the Bees when Paul Green's cross was headed home by Frecklington with seven minutes remaining.

Scott now has two games remaining to evaluate his squad for next season.

He must do so without Elder, who is scheduled to undergo surgery on his knee this Wednesday.

"A few of the things I saw today confirmed what I felt I already knew," said Scott.

"That is why I'm playing the sides that I am and changing things around a bit.

"If I can do it now and this confirms my ideas about certain players, formations and the way we can play then it will benefit it."

Brentford: Simon Brown, O'Connor, Bennett, Heywood, Dickson; Wayne Brown (sub Shakes h/t), Mousinho, Smith; Poole; Elder, Connell (sub Reid 76)

Subs (not used): Hamer, Osborne, SankofaAttendance: 3699 (376 Bees)Man of the Match: Ryan DicksonGoals: Elder 45Match Rating: 2/6.