Brentford were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup at the Third Round stage by Bristol City.

On a mild winter night at Ashton Gate the tie looked set for extra time before Jamie Horgan scored the only goal for the hosts late on.

Brentford had chances to win it, and even to force extra time in the dying seconds, but couldn’t breach a very good City defence.

The game was very even, particularly the first 20 minutes.

Both teams tried to play the ball through midfield and create openings but there were few real chances early on.

As the game became stretched and the midfield became open there were more chances but City took the one that counted.

Brentford had more of the ball, particularly in defensive areas, but when City pressed they were able to win it in dangerous areas.

Defences were on top in the early stages, Brentford looked most likely to create an opening but efforts at goal were mainly from distance.

James Ferry shot over from 25 yards for the visitors while Tom Fry did likewise for City.

Neither Courtney Senior nor Kojo Awotwi could convert a Seika Jatta cross after the striker got free on the right while at the other end Nik Tzanev saved a deflected Horgan shot and Joseff Morell fired over.

Brentford probably gained the upper hand as the first half reached the midway point, Senior was pulling the strings when he dropped slightly deeper and his pace worried the hosts.

He had a shot blocked and Zain Westbrooke fired over as The Bees gained the territorial advantage.

But the first real chance, and the best of the first half, fell to City when Bishop found space in the inside right channel and got a shot away that Tzanev had to push out low to his right, Brentford cleared as Horgan prepared to follow-up.

Horgan had a low shot saved soon after before Senior jinked free of the edge of the box and created space for a shot 18 yards out but his effort was straight at Max O’Leary.

The City goalkeeper then got down well to keep out a powerful George Pilbeam shot as Brentford had their best spell of the first period.

The half ended with Gradi Milenge blocking a shot from Bishop after a good run from the back by the excellent Jack Batten and Morell shooting wide but it probably deserved to be goalless at the break.

The Bees could have been in front moments after the re-start when they broke quickly and Richard Bryan crossed but Jatta couldn’t turn it in from close range.

Senior shot just over after cutting inside soon after and O’Leary saved a low Westbrooke effort.

Brentford probably had control of the early stages of the second half.

The game became stretched and Brentford were able to move the ball better.

City went slightly longer and Brentford’s movement in attack gave them opportunities.

Jatta could have scored when Senior released him in the penalty area; he rounded the onrushing O’Leary but ran very wide and shot in to the side netting.

Although Brentford were having the better of it, City arguably had the two best chances.

First Tzanev had to be at full stretch to get a hand to a Ben Withey cross and prevent Bishop converting.

Then Withey got in behind from a long ball, beat the dithering Tzanev to it and rolled the ball towards goal but Milenge got back to prevent the ball crossing the line.

As the half wore on, the hosts got stronger.

Tzanev saved from Horgan before a Matthew Mattis effort was blocked.

The Brentford goalkeeper then had to go down well to keep out a Morell free kick.

The goal the home side were threatening came with seven minutes remaining as a low Withey cross was turned in at full stretch by Horgan.

Brentford had to throw caution to the wind and get bodies forward, which left them exposed at the back.

Tzanev saved from Mattis and Fry shot over as the home side tried to get the killer second goal.

Senior shot over in stoppage time as Brentford tried to salvage it but they could not find a goal and Bristol City went through.

Bristol City Youth: Max O’Leary; Pierce Mitchell, Jack Batten, Zak Vyner, Matt Long; Ben Withey (sub Elliott Nelson 90 mins), Ben Last, Tom Fry, Jamie Horgan (sub Harvey Moss 90 mins); Marley Bishop (sub Matthew Mattis 68 mins), Joseff Morell

Subs (not used): Jojo Wollacott, Scott Bevan

Bookings: Batten (84 mins)

Brentford Youth: Nik Tzanev; Richard Bryan, Audrius Laucys, Gradi Milenge, Tom Field; George Pilbeam (sub Courtney Austin 89 mins), Zain Westbrooke, James Ferry, Kojo Awotwi (sub Reece Cole 63 mins); Courtney Senior, Seika Jatta (sub Bradley Clayton 84 mins)

Subs (not used): Seth Owens, Lewis Lavender

By Chris Wickham