A goal in each half proved decisive as Millwall Under-21s edged past Brentford Under-21s with a 2-1 victory at Wheatsheaf Park in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon.

Stephenson’s strike was a consolation on the day, as Millwall edged the contest to take all three points despite a spirited performance from Sam Saunders’ side.

It was the home side who took control of the game early on and Luca Picotto broke clear and delivered a firm cross which almost found Kyrie Pierre.

Despite the good start, on 18 minutes, the young Lions took the lead through Caleb Redhead as he pounced on a loose ball in the box from a corner, smashing into the net from close range.

Redhead went close to grabbing his second after capitalising on another loose pass, curling an effort towards goal that was well saved by Julian Eyestone.

Domeiro Bobb-Semple was presented with a glorious opportunity to level the scores as a scramble in the box fell kindly to his feet but his poked shot was saved by Joel Coleman.

Picotto was next to try his luck but his firm shot had similar results as Bobb-Semple's effort moments earlier, as Coleman was positioned well to save and then hold onto the ball.

The home side were still in the ascendancy to begin the second period as Coleman was called into action again as he made a great stop to deny Bobb-Semple who looked destined to score.

Miscommunication at the back allowed William Wright the chance to break clear and poke a shot underneath Eyestone for the away team's second of the game.

Second-half substitute Naeem Giscombe made an immediate impact when he came on as he jinked past two players before curling a shot in the box that only narrowly missed the goal.

The chances continued to come and Ollie Shield went agonisingly close to halving the deficit as his half-volley looked like it was heading in but Tristan Parkes made the clearance to deny the full-back.

The goal finally came and it was a Stephenson who powered a header into the net after a long throw from Trialist A.

The momentum for the Bees was halted as Theo Mawene was given a straight red card for a high tackle on Louis Jacome.

The game would end in defeat as Saunders' side lose only their fifth game in the league this season.

The matches continue to come for the Bees as they take on a tricky away fixture against Barnsley on Friday 23 January.

Brentford: Eyestone, Trialist A, Picotto (Powis 90), Stephenson, McKnight (Mawene 46), Grey, Shield, Bentt, Bentt, Pierre, Bobb-Semple (Giscombe 64)

Unused subs: Honor, Asemokhai.

Red card: Mawene 83

Millwall: Coleman, Vieira, Emus Jacome (Hamann-Chanes 85), Parkes, Dyer, Baker-Boaitey, Howland, Redhead, Wright, Kendall,

Unused subs: Lindner, Rodgers, Whitby, Forbes.