Farid El Alagui said he felt “really good” after playing his first competitive match for more than five months.

The striker played for Brentford’s Development Squad in a 4-2 Under-21 Professional Development League Two South win over Charlton Athletic.

He scored a first half goal and set up one in the second half as Brentford came from 2-0 down to win.

Farid has not played since he was stretchered off in Brentford’s npower League One win over Crawley Town on October 6 with a serious knee injury.

He has completed his rehabilitation and said he felt he could have played longer on Monday afternoon.

“I feel really good,” said Farid, speaking to Bees Player after the match.

“I am really pleased to come back and play an official game.

“It was the perfect day for me.

“First game since October, first win, first goal and an assist as well.

“I can’t ask for more.

“I wanted to stay on; I was disappointed to come off.

“We have to take care but I am really, really pleased with my fitness.

“It shows the good work we have done with the medical staff and [Head of Conditioning] Chris Haslam.

“When I was doing my rehabilitation, sometimes I wanted to push harder but they tried to stop me.

“I feel normal now.”

Farid said the game was a good test for him and for Club Captain Kevin O’Connor, who has been undertaking rehabilitation with the striker after suffering an ankle injury in November.

Charlton fielded a strong team including former Brentford loan goalkeeper Ben Hamer, Dale Stephens, who has played 27 games in The Championship this season, and Mark Gower, a recent loan acquisition from Swansea City.

They dominated the first half, although Farid nearly scored with an early header that was turned away low down to his right by Hamer.

But Farid scored when an Aaron Pierre shot deflected in to his path and his fired in to the bottom corner via a deflection.

Brentford went on to take control of the second half and deserved the win, given to them by two Josh Rees goals and one from Emmanuel Oyeleke.

“It was the perfect test for us, for Kev as well,” said Farid.

“It was really physical.

“I was a bit shy the first 15 minutes but as the game went on I was perfectly fine, I am happy.

“I thought the header was in, the keeper did well, it was a good save.

“I was pleased with that.

“For the goal, there was a deflection off the defender, I saw the ball in front of me and I just tried to score.

“I was lucky with a deflection but happy to see the ball go in.

“It felt a bit weird when I scored.

“You think about the long way you have come.

“I was happy but was thinking about the work I have done since October.

“I am naturally positive.

“A football career is not all about success and good memories.

“There are bad experiences; you have to go through it to have a career.

“I was really disappointed but tried to find the positive things and come back stronger and better.”

Farid set up Josh Rees’ first goal when he picked up a Lee Hodson pass and fed it on to the midfield man, who finished well.

Brentford took control of the game and beat the team who had started the day top of the Under-21 Professional Development League Two South table.

Farid said Brentford deserved to win the match.

“It was a good ball from Lee,” said Farid.

“On my touch I saw Josh make a run, I played him through and it was a good shot and good goal.

“Charlton were top of the league and we have shown how good we are.

“They played well in the first half but we had a word at half time and were better in the second half.

“I think we deserved to win.

“When you score just before half time it changes the mind-set a bit.

“They weren’t as comfortable as they were expecting to be.

“We said we had to go for the second, the confidence was higher.

“It gave us extra confidence.”

The next Development Squad game is a league clash against Queens Park Rangers next Monday.

Farid said he was keen to get back to First Team football – and would play in the League One game against Sheffield United on Saturday if he could – but understood he should not rush back.

With the Bees second in League One after beating Preston North End on Saturday and with eight games to go, Farid said he is keen to play a part in the push for promotion.

“If it was me I would love to play on Saturday,” he said.

“But I am happy to play next Monday, try to go longer and maybe play 90 minutes.

“We will talk to the staff and medical staff.

“The team won on Saturday so there is no rush to come back.

“When I got injured I looked at the schedule and saw there would be good games in March and April.

“I wanted to be in a good condition to be part of the race.

“We are in the perfect position for the final sprint.

“I am sure we will do it.”

A full video interview with Farid El Alagui is available here for Bees Player subscribers.