February 13, 2001 16:38: Brentford 1 Reading 2

Brentford went down to play-off rivals Reading in front of their biggest crowd of the season on Saturday.

An attendance of 7,500 witnessed another competent display by the Bees, who once again were let down by their inability to convert possession and chances into goals.

Against a side above them in the table but also a team which has not won an away match since October, this was a game the Bees had to get something from to remain in contention for a play-off place.

In the end it was a game which highlighted Brentford's attacking deficiencies.

In a highly entertaining encounter the Bees almost opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Lloyd Owusu carved out a great opportunity for himself.

A long clearance found Scott Partridge, who killed the ball with superb control. The forward then fed his striking partner Owusu, who beat the last defender and burst through on goal. He struck the ball well but Phil Whitehead, in the Reading goal, made a great save.

To rub salt into the wound, two minutes later Reading got their noses in front. Former Spurs man Darren Caskey swung over a corner which found an unmarked Parkinson, who converted from close range.

Ray Lewington's men were understandably disappointed but their heads did not drop, and the game became even more lively.

It was a close game with the two teams evenly matched. Reading began to sit back and allow Brentford to come forward and chase the game, and then try to catch the home side on the break.

This strategy paid dividends when Reading doubled their lead with one such counter-attack on 57 minutes.

Jamie Cureton's pace saw him clear of the Bees defence, reach the byline and then cut back the ball to Igoe who was left with the simplest of tasks to side-foot the ball home.

With nothing to lose, Lewington brought on McCammon and Williams to bolster his attacking options and it was McCammon who gave the Bees hope when he shot home from close range on 85 minutes.

In the end it was too little too late, and Brentford had Ole Gottskalksson to thank for keeping the score down when he made two excellent saves late on in the game.

Brentford: Gottskalksson, Lovett (Williams 69), Marshall, Powell, Theobald (McCammon 57), Gibbs, Ingimarsson, Rowlands, Dobson, Owusu, Partridge.

The Bees will have to be at their best on Saturday when they travel to the New Den on Saturday, to face League leaders Millwall. Kick off 3pm.

By.Andrew Adebowale