Brentford Under-18s were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Doncaster Rovers in their Professional Development League Cup Group H fixture at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday afternoon.
Michel Boni and Domeiro Bobb-Semple found the net for the Bees, but Doncaster proved clinical in key moments to take the points.
It didn’t take long for the opener, as Boni burst clear, left the defenders behind, and rifled a powerful shot into the roof of the net.
Coran Madden came close to doubling the lead moments later, but his one-on-one effort struck the post.
Bobb-Semple fired a terrific cross into the box but the unmarked Nathaniel Ogungbemi could not keep his shot on target.
Staitham Bowen's towering header from a well-worked corner only just went over the bar as the home side regained control following a period of pressure from Rovers.
The away side levelled the scores on 41 minutes as a mistake at the back allowed Kingston Murray to tap into the net unopposed.
Despite the setback, the young Bees managed to edge ahead of their opponents again as on the stroke of the half-time whistle, Bobb-Semple was played in on goal by Otis Honor and the attacker dispatched expertly.
The away side began the second period the quicker of the two sides and Ashton Swales hammered a perfect shot into the top corner of the net from distance.
Doncaster then took the lead for the first time in the contest as Alex Pavan was in the right place to pounce on a loose ball in the box and give his side their third.
Bobb-Semple had a great opportunity to grab his second and the team's third but his awkward finish in the box just went over the bar.
The game ended with the away side taking all three points, despite Gary McDermott’s side applying late pressure.
Despite the narrow defeat, Brentford remain well placed in Group H after only two games and will look to bounce back as the campaign continues.
McDermott's side return to league action on Saturday 18 October when they take on their west London rivals Queens Park Rangers at Wheatsheaf Park, with kick-off for that game scheduled for 11:30am.
Brentford: Agyei, Fanoiki, Ogungbemi, Oladapo-Gamu (Kasujja 80), Bowen (Cohalan 63), Honor, Madden (Bansoodeb 46), Redknapp (Giscombe 46), Boni, Trialist A (Powis 63), Bobb-Semple
Booked: Trialist A 13, Boni 69
Doncaster Rovers: Stirzaker, Glaves, Cashmore (Potts 90+4), Middleton, Murray (Butler 88), Musgrave-Dore, Swales (Upitis-Thompson 88), Pavan, Pawlak, Murray (Mckie 74), Hodgett
Booked: Swales 72