Brentford’s Development Squad failed to make the most of a half time lead, dominating possession and playing the last half an hour against ten men as they were beaten by Bristol City.

The Bees took a first half lead through a fine Kojo Awotwi volley and but for ten minute period either side of half time, when City equalised, they had control of the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South contest.

The visitors were given a big advantage when City defender Louis Carey was sent off for grabbing Josh Clarke, who tormented the hosts throughout, around the neck but couldn’t make the most of it.

They failed to create clear cut openings and were hit by a sucker punch when substitute Marley Bishop got free to win the game for the hosts late on.

The home side started with a line-up considerably more experienced than The Bees.

Central defender Carey, 37, has played around 650 games for City while Jordan Wynter is a professional signed from Arsenal last summer and striker Tyrone Barnett is on loan from Peterborough United, who spent more than £1m on him.

Despite the difference in experience, only Scott Barron in the Brentford line-up has played more than a handful of First Team matches, The Bees had the upper hand.

And in Clarke, they had the game’s most exciting player.

Time and time again the winger escaped down the right, leaving City left back Tom King trailing in his wake.

Brentford’s main problem was that they failed to create enough from Clarke’s probing.

The winger shot wide early on and then failed to connect with a Joe Maloney cross after a long period of Brentford possession.

Clarke fired across the face of goal on two separate occasions after beating King and when he got away again his cross was met by Lionel Stone but half blocked by Jack Batten and gathered by City goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott.

Kevin Krans had an early sight of goal for City, blasting well over, and Lewis Hall missed the target with a free kick but most of the action was at the other end.

Stone went close again when he met a cross from Maloney but a defender blocked and the danger was cleared.

Brentford deserved their lead when it came ten minutes before the break, and it was a goal to remember.

Clarke left space for Maloney to move in to on the right and he stepped on to an Emmanuel Oyeleke pass before delivering a cross, Awotwi met it on the volley and steered it in to the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Trialist Jermaine Udumaga shot wide from distance but City recovered well from going behind.

They ended the first half better and pressed The Bees back.

Krans wasted a good chance shooting well over, after Wynter had run from deep, and Hall had a shot blocked.

City’s best chance of the first half fell to Barnett, King robbed Louis Hutton on the left and burst in to the box, his cross was met by the striker but he was stretching and turned the ball wide.

The hosts did not, however, have to wait long for the leveller after the break.

Krans came in off the left and slipped a pass through to Barnett; he turned free and shot through the legs of Melvin Minter to equalise.

That was the catalyst for Brentford to take control again.

The Bees started to retain possession better and pass the ball up the pitch.

They were, however, largely restricted to unthreatening areas.

Udumaga had a shot blocked and Oyeleke fired a free kick over the bar before a Krans effort was cleared at the other end.

The game swung in Brentford’s direction just before the hour mark when Minter gathered a free kick and cleared long, Clarke got away from Carey and the central defender grabbed him around the neck to stop him racing in on goal.

The referee decided the offence was worthy of a red card, perhaps as much for the challenge as the fact Clarke was going clear, and dismissed the centre back.

Wollacott saved the resulting free kick from Barron and Maloney shot wide soon after.

Brentford spent most of the rest of the game camped in City territory, looking to get Clarke, and Awotwi – moved to right back, in behind the home defence.

Wollacott saved a Clarke snap shot before Hutton and Oyeleke missed the target from distance.

Hutton shot over as the game entered the final ten minutes with Brentford still on top but City holding out.

And then the home side hit with a sucker punch.

Brentford were robbed on their right side and Joe Morrell slipped a pass through to Bishop, his first shot was saved by Minter but he got to the loose ball first and fired home.

Brentford tried to find a leveller and came close when Fabian Rowe had a shot blocked, the ball broke to Udumaga and his low effort was saved by Wollacott.

Hutton fired over when the ball came back again but Brentford’s chance had gone and City had the points.

Bristol City Development Squad: Jojo Wollacott; Jordan Wynter (sub Pierce Mitchell h/t), Louis Carey, Jack Batten, Tom King; Gus Mafuta, Lewis Hall; Joe Morrell, Tom Fry, Kevin Krans; Tyrone Barnett (sub Marley Bishop 79 mins)

Subs (not used): Max O’Leary, Zac Vyner

Brentford Development Squad: Melvin Minter; Joe Maloney (sub Michael Onovwigun 88 mins), Raphaël Calvet, Scott Barron (sub Fabian Rowe 61 mins); Emmanuel Oyeleke, Louis Hutton, Jermaine Udumaga; Josh Clarke, Lionel Stone, Kojo Awotwi

Subs (not used): Richard Bryan

By Chris Wickham