Julian Eyestone and Benjamin Arthur played 90 minutes as Brentford Under-21s beat Bristol City Under-21s 1-0 at Wheatsheaf Park in the Professional Development League.

Michel Boni scored the only goal of the game with his 11th of the season in the first half, with Beau Redknapp coming off the bench to make his debut for the Under-21s.

The Bees had their first chance within 10 seconds, Boni latching on to a flicked header from kick-off but pulling his half-volley just wide of the far post.

Boni then found space in the box again after a clever disguised pass from Kyrie Pierre on seven minutes, but put too much power on his cross that evaded Ethan Laidlaw in the six-yard box.

Sam Saunders' side were much the livelier of the two in the opening half an hour, but couldn't find the finishing blow; Conor McManus volleyed over at an awkward angle after an excellent team move down the right.

Brentford's pressure eventually paid off on 31 minutes when Laidlaw's hard work enabled Boni time and space to tuck home from close range past Isaac Finch to make it 1-0.

The young Robins did very little to test the west Londoners and fortuitously forged their first chance on 38 minutes after a slip from Josh Stephenson, but Arthur covered brilliantly to make the save comfortable for Eyestone as Jack Griffin bore down on goal.

Boni almost had his second of the day when Ollie Shield's quick throw put him in on goal but Finch recovered excellently to dive across goal and make the save.

Shield had the first big chance of the second half for the Bees, when Otis Honor's excellent reverse pass enabled him to get a shot off, albeit from a tight angle as he struck the side netting.

Honor then set McManus away down the left with an audacious turn and flicked pass. The left-back pulled the ball across the box to the arriving Pierre who stung the hands of Finch on 56 minutes.

Bristol were better in the second period and Saunders' side struggled to create clear cut chances. Eyestone was called into action on 73 minutes when Honor was caught out and the Robins countered, and the American goalkeeper made a remarkable block from close range diving to his right.

First year scholar Redknapp made his Under-21s debut coming off the bench with just over 15 minutes to play.

Substitute Matas Klimas had an opportunity to double the lead on 80 minutes after Stephenson headed the ball back into the mixer from a deep free-kick, but he couldn't adjust his feet to turn home.

The young Bees saw out the win with a professional performance and clean sheet to get back to winning ways before Saunders' side head to Spain for a mid-season tour.

Brentford: Eyestone, McKnight (Klimas 59), McManus, Stephenson, Arthur, Grey, Shield, Honor (Redknapp 78), Boni (Bobb-Semple 78), Pierre, Laidlaw

Subs: Tavaziva, Asemokhai

Booked: Honor 35, Stephenson 42

Bristol City: Finch, Thelwell, Skinner, James, Hewlett, Ali, Pecover (Murphy 64), Ezendu (Ikpeama 79), Griffin (Kalkowski 64), Chaplin (Taylor 46), Meerholz

Subs: Walker

Booked: Taylor 79, Ali 90+3

Assistant coach Chris Burke on victory over Bristol City

Brentford Under-21s assistant coach Chris Burke was delighted with the way his side adapted throughout the game to beat Bristol City 1-0.

"We spoke about before the game having a good start and we did that, and eventually we got the reward," he said.

"They took our messages on really well. Michel got a good predator's goal which came from a throw in - we always talk about how important they are."

"We've been stretched through injuries and through the amount of games we've played, but the boys adapted well and that is so good for their development."