A three-goal second half secured all three points for Brentford Under-21s as they beat Swansea City Under-21s 3-0 in Professional Development League action on Wednesday afternoon.

Following a goalless first half at Joma High Performance Centre, a Luke Bentt brace and Chanse Headman header was enough to claim a win against a Swans side who were reduced to 10 men after the interval.

Kicking off in sunny conditions, the hosts put Brentford goalkeeper Julian Eyestone under pressure. A corner was met by a powerful header in the middle of the box, Eyestone doing well to dive low to his left and make the save.

Sam Saunders’ side responded positively and had their own chance on goal a minute later. Luca Picotto’s slick ball through the line found Michel Boni, who cut the ball back to Bentt, the midfielder putting his shot over the bar with his left foot.

With the game being played up and down at a fast pace, it was Swansea’s turn to attack. Taking possession outside the box, Morgan Bates took a touch to his left and looked to curl the ball into the top-left corner, but Eyestone was there to tip it out for a corner.

On 18 minutes, Paris Maghoma played a slick pass from a corner to Myles Peart-Harris near the edge of the box, but his right-footed effort sailed over the bar.

Two minutes later, there were calls for a penalty as Boni appeared to be taken down inside the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.

Maghoma continued to show his quality and he came close to the opener as the half-hour mark approached. The midfielder dribbled past multiple defenders as he worked his way towards the goal line, however his left foot shot was blocked by Iestyn Jones.

The Bees were forced to defend in a similarly vigorous fashion soon after as they turned it over in their own box. Caleb Demery pounced on the pass and looked to have an open look on goal, however Headman slid in to make a timely block.

The visitors' best chance of the first half came as half-time approached. Andre Grey won the ball back and immediately played to Bentt, the midfielder firing a powerful strike towards the bottom-left corner which Swansea goalkeeper Evan Anderson did well to dive low and turn behind.

Grey clouds dominated the sky as heavy rain fell to start the second half. It didn’t dampen the level of play though as both sides continued to attack in the search for the opening goal.

Swansea looked destined to break the stranglehold on 55 minutes as Thomas Woodward pounced on loose Brentford possession and crossed to Bates, who was one-on-one with Eyestone in the middle of the box. The Bees goalkeeper made a timely save to keep the game 0-0.

The breakthrough came four minutes later through Bentt. Receiving the ball from Isaac Holland in the middle of the box, Bentt turned and fired it into the bottom-right corner to give the west Londoners the lead.

Three minutes later, the hosts were reduced to 10 men as Sebastian Dabrowski received a red card after he took Boni down on the counter attack.

Saunders’ side made the most of the advantage and 10 minutes after scoring his first goal, Bentt had his second to double Brentford’s lead. Ollie Shield received the ball at the back post from Picotto’s cross and immediately played it central to Bentt, the Bees number eight tapping it home from close range.

Despite going down to 10 men, the hosts still eyed a way back into the game. They almost found it through Daniel Watts as he pushed forward with the ball before firing a powerful low strike at goal, but Eyestone did well to keep it out.

Headman immediately took Brentford on the counter attack before playing to Iwan Morgan. The Welshman played to his left before firing at goal, but it sailed past the right post and out of play.

The duo combined again soon after, this time with the play resulting in a goal. Morgan’s corner was met powerfully by Headman, the centre-back heading it home to make it 3-0.

Brentford now turn their attention to the Premier League Cup on 8 December as they host West Bromwich Albion Under-21s at Wheatsheaf Park (kick-off 7pm GMT).

Tickets are available here.

Swansea City U21s: Anderson, Jeanes (Perry 77), Dabrowski, Watts (Heywood 77), I. Jones, McKenzie (C. Jones 77), Pescatore, Woodward, Bates, Griffith, Demery (Deacon 64)

Subs not used: Wright

Booked: I. Jones 40

Sent off: Dabrowski 62

Brentford U21s: Eyestone, McKnight (Klimas 79), Picotto, Grey, Headman, Holland (Avenell 63), Bentt, Boni (Mawene 79), Pierre (Shield 63), Peart-Harris, Maghoma (Morgan 63)

Booked: Headman 77, Mawene 88

Saunders: It was pleasing for the whole team that we got the clean sheet

Brentford Under-21s head coach Sam Saunders reflected on his side's impressive 3-0 win over Swansea City away from home.

"In the first half I didn't think we were at our best, I thought we were a little bit slow with the ball... I wanted us to be a bit more creative and move it a bit quicker," he said.

"We got a good goal, started to look stronger in the second half and then they got a man sent off and that was pretty much the end of it really. After that, we dominated the ball.

"It was a good game, I enjoyed it, I thought Swansea did some good stuff, they had some good players, I thought they gave us some tests.

"It was a game where tactically we had to work on the press they tried to play... it was good, it gave us some problems with their rotations and their overloads out wide.

"When you come anywhere and you win 3-0 and you get a clean sheet, you're always pleased."