Development Squad manager Lee Carsley thought that Leeds United’s extra freshness told as they came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 on Monday evening.

The Bees took the lead in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South clash just after the hour through Herson Rodrigues Alves but were pegged back with ten minutes to go through Dario Del Fabro’s neat header.

Luke Parkin scored the decisive goal with six minutes remaining to inflict a first defeat in six on Lee Carsley’s side.

Speaking to Bees Player after the game Lee praised his side for the way they coped with a third game in a week.

Lee felt his side played well for large parts of the match but that, ultimately, the number of matches in recent weeks caught up with them late on.

“I thought for 60 minutes we played really well,” said Lee.

“Conceding from a free-kick and from a corner is disappointing but we don’t spend a lot of time practicing defending from set-pieces.

“I thought Gradi Milenge did well and Daniel O’Shaughnessy has been putting together a bit of form recently.

“He goes away for internationals now and that gives someone else the chance to play there.

“Mark Smith has done well in the last couple of games.

“He has been out on loan and you can see that he has played some senior football.

“It is good to see him back.

“I thought we played really well tonight and I am proud of them.

“I was explaining to the boys before the game about the history involved at Leeds United.

“The age of our players means that they only know Leeds United in League One and the Championship not really about what a big club it is and the history attached to it.

“Considering that we have travelled up on a coach and only stopped for a quick bite to eat before getting back on the coach for four or five hours, to start so fast is testament to them.

“I thought they played with a lot of enthusiasm and energy tonight, considering that we played on Friday as well.

“We were coming off the back of a tough schedule, you could see towards the end they were getting tired, but I thought they did well tonight.”

Monday’s fixture was The Bees third game in a week and four game in under two weeks.

Lee admitted that would have taken it’s toll on the players but also added that it was a valuable learning tool in preparing for life as a professional footballer.

With teams playing Saturday, Tuesday in the Football League and non-league Lee believes it is important that the players learn how to prepare for and deal with matches in quick succession.

“Leeds looked a lot more energetic than us,” said Lee.

“They have played one game a week for the past two or three weeks and we have played three games in eight days.

“We have not had the chance to rest any of the lads so it has been a good experience for them.

“It has been similar to the Sky Bet Championship playing a game every three or four days.

“The boys will learn about preparation and making sure that they prepare themselves properly before games.

“Their rest is important as is how they rest and recuperate between games and hopefully they will learn from that.”

The defeat was only the Development Squad’s second in 11 matches and ended a run of five games without defeat.

Next up for The Bees is a match at Griffin Park on Saturday against Nottingham Forest.

Lee thinks it will be good for the players to get back out on the pitch at Griffin Park, especially those youth team players who are likely to be involved.

Lee’s side finished Monday’s match with eight Youth Team players on the pitch and the former Republic of Ireland international thinks it will be great for those boys’ development to play in front of a crowd on Saturday.

“I don’t think this defeat will affect them confidence wise,” said Lee.

“I think it is now two defeats in 11 matches now.

“They are in good form and they have come away to Leeds United and given them a good game.

“It will be good to get on the pitch at Griffin Park.

“The last time they played there against Swansea City they did ok.

“I am sure that they will be looking forward to the game at the weekend.

“It will be a chance for the fans to come and watch the young players.

“We have three or four exciting players to come and watch so they can come to watch the future of the club.

“We have got to look a bit longer term when it comes to their development so finishing today with eight Youth Team players is a good sign.

“You don’t get many chances to come to places like this and experience it so hopefully they will learn from it.”