Bournemouth 0 Brentford 1

Brentford took a huge step towards promotion and the League Two title with a vital win over Bournemouth at Dean Court on Easter Monday.

Having lost four strikers to injury over recent weeks, it was perhaps no surprise that results haven’t quite been going in the Bees favour.

Yet, during their recent run of three consecutive draws, they have continued to play well and on Monday they finally got the rub of the green.

This vital victory was earned the hard way, following veteran defender Darren Powell’s dismissal only three minutes into the second half following an argument with fellow Bee Karleigh Osborne.

Brentford were forced to dig deep as they defended their precious one-goal lead – earned by on-loan striker Billy Clarke – but, with Marcus Bean and Alan Bennett in particular playing superbly, the Bees held on.

Boss Andy Scott was certainly pleased with the outcome: “The past two performances against Bradford and Exeter were two of our better performances of the season but we didn’t get the reward.

"When you consider the players we had out there with Marcus Bean getting off his sick bed from over the weekend and to last that long with ten men was immense.”

Scott shuffled his pack again, recalling Sam Wood, Sam Williams and Bean in place of Gary Smith, Marvin Williams and John Halls.

The opening exchanges were keenly contested before Brentford began to exert some control in midfield and create a number of chances.

Williams did well close to the right hand bye-line and from his cutback Clarke set up Adam Newton but he blazed over the bar from 15 yards.

Bean then combined with Williams who set up Clarke, whose shot was saved by Shwan Jalal.

Ben Hamer kept the Bees in it when he made a fine save from a Mark Molesley shot and then David Hunt did well to head the follow up effort clear.

Clarke’s third goal in three games put Brentford ahead four minutes before half-time, when Wood’s mis-hit effort fell kindly to him and his looping effort found the top left-hand corner of the net.

Powell’s moment of madness at the start of the second half ensured a nervy 45 minutes for the large travelling support.

After the Bees had cleared a Bournemouth corner he had a frank exchange of views with Osborne and appeared to raise his hands.

After consulting with his assistant, referee Gavin Ward showed Powell a red card.

Yet despite playing with an extra man, the Cherries were unable to seriously threaten Brentford’s goal as the whole Bees side worked hard to defend their precious lead.

With Mark Phillips reinforcing the backline, they were able to cling on and celebrate another step closer to promotion in front of their travelling fans.

A proud Scott was left to declare: “I think in the past 10 games, we have played all of the eight teams that would be in the top eight, so we have had a really tough spell where we only lost to Chesterfield.

"That just proves we are a good side and deserve to be at the top.”

Brentford: Hamer; Osborne, Powell, Bennett, Dickson; Newton (sub Phillips 52), Hunt, Bean, Wood; Clarke (sub M Williams 81), S Williams (Sub Smith 90) Subs (not used): Simon Brown, Poole

Sent off: Powell 48

Attendance: 8,168 (1,786 Bees)

Man of the match: Marcus Bean

Goals: Clarke 41

Match Rating: 4/6.