Brentford’s search for their first league win away from home this season continues as Norwich City condemned them to defeat with a single goal at Carrow Road.

After losing Kamohelo Mokotjo early through injury, things went from bad to worse when Timm Klose’s searching ball found Emi Buendia to slot home on 34 minutes.

But penalty heroics from keeper Daniel Bentley on the stroke of half time prevented Jordan Rhodes from doubling the lead.

Brentford, who are now winless in nine outings, slip to 16th in the Sky Bet Championship table as Norwich rise to third place.

Chris Mepham returned to the starting 11 following a one-match suspension, Thomas Frank’s only change to the team which lost to Preston North End during midweek.

Sergi Canos’ effort forced Tim Krul into a quick save within the first five minutes as Neal Maupay teed up Ollie Watkins, only to blaze over the bar.

Brentford made their intentions clear early but were fortunate to see Mepham crucially block a powered Alex Tettey shot from distance.

The tables soon turned when Frank was forced into bringing on Josh McEachran after Mokotjo went down with an apparent ankle injury on 28 minutes.

The Bees momentarily switched off and Klose’s exquisite ball fell kindly to Buendia who stabbed the ball past Bentley for the opener.

Rhodes, who has four Championship goals to his name, dragged a shot inches wide of goal as the Canaries rode their newly found momentum.

Norwich would get the chance to double their lead when Max Aarons was brought down inside the box by Ollie Watkins for a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

However, with virtually the last kick of the half, Bentley rescued Brentford from a disastrous 45 minutes when he kept out Rhodes on the stroke of half-time.

The second half had drama but lacked quality, with Frank using two of his three changes by the hour.

Brentford’s best chance arrived when Neal Maupay cracked the crossbar after Krul was brought into action by substitutes Lewis Macleod and Said Benrahma’s two efforts.

Norwich, who's execution prevented them from a comfortable win, saw Todd Cantwell’s weak effort easily gathered following a quick counter-attack.