Brentford B picked up an important three points in the Premier League Cup on Monday night, beating Exeter City Under-21s 3-0 at Wheatsheaf Park.

Following a goalless first half, Josh Stephenson opened the scoring just after the hour mark. Substitutes Kyrie Pierre and Michel Boni followed suit soon after, enough to secure a vital win for the west Londoners.

With Exeter sitting top of the PL Cup group and Brentford having lost to the young Grecians in September, the game held extra significance for Sam Saunders’ side’s quest for the knockout stages.

The start of the game reflected that, a frenetic opening three minutes ensuing. The young Bees calmed the quickest of the two sides, however, enjoying time on the ball which brought strong build up play.

While on top in the game, chances were hard to come by for Brentford in the opening 20 minutes. Conor McManus had the west Londoners' best look on goal as he fired from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Soon after the visitors came close to finding the opener as the ball fall near the penalty spot, however Maxwell McKnight was there to make a timely block to send the ball out for an Exeter corner.

As the half-hour mark approached Iwan Morgan called Exeter goalkeeper Frankie Phillips into action for the first time, his shot from long-range forcing Phillips to fist the ball away from danger.

The game remained tense as the half-time break approached, however neither side was able to piece it together in the final third, the game remaining deadlocked after 45 minutes.

Out of half-time the game remained a repeat of the opening half, both sides enjoying possession without threatening the opposite backline.

The breakthrough came as the hour mark ticked over through Stephenson. Morgan met the ball off the corner, his header crashing into the post. Remaining in play the ball was crossed back, this time Chanse Headman's header was blocked. Eventually it popped up to Stephenson, the centre-back able to head it neatly into the top right corner to give Saunders’ side the lead.

Riding a wave of momentum, the young Bees continued to press forward as they eyed a second goal. Three minutes after scoring Stephenson broke free through the middle of the pitch before playing to Ollie Shield down the right shot. After taking a touch to his left the winger fired at goal, but it was well blocked.

The fresh legs of Isaac Holland – who returned from injury – and Michel Boni provided a spark for Brentford off the bench, as did Pierre on 76 minutes. Two minutes after coming on the midfielder ran onto a dangerous cross from Shield, smashing the ball into the back of the net to double the west Londoners’ lead and score his first Brentford goal.

Heading towards a big win the young Bees continued to attack and they were rewarded just before full-time, Boni smashing home a sensational strike to make it 3-0.

Saunders' side now sit second in the group standings with three games to play, one point behind group leaders Exeter with a game in hand.

The young Bees turn their attention to West Bromwich Albion at The Alexander Stadium on Friday night.

Brentford B: Rose, McKnight, McManus, Stephenson (Picotto 90+2), Headman, Konak, Shield, Owen, Morgan (Pierre 76), Bentt (Holland 62), Grey (Boni 62)

Subs not used: Olakigbe

Booked: Morgan 45+1, Rose 59

Exeter City U21s: Phillips, Dean, Cummins, James, Alsop, Horn (Williams 79), Cayless (Appleton 79), Doyle-Hayes (Perkins HT), Oakes, Birch, Wilson

Subs not used: Bown, Graham

Booked: Doyle-Hayes 44