Brentford Under-21s secured a 3–2 victory over Millwall Under-21s in the Professional Development League on Friday afternoon, as a brace from Ethan Laidlaw, along with a late winner from Riley Owen, ensured the young Bees came away with all three points.
Laidlaw struck twice to put Brentford in a strong position during an entertaining contest, but Millwall responded to keep the game finely balanced. With the match poised late on, Owen produced the decisive goal to seal the win and complete an important afternoon for the west Londoners.
Chris Burke took charge of today's game and he would have been impressed with his side's start as they put the home side under immense pressure.
Kyrie Pierre probably should have scored as he had the game's first chance shooting over from the edge of the box.
Laidlaw then opened the scoring caressing the ball into the bottom corner from distance as the young Lions were struggling to contain the Bees.
The second goal arrived soon after and it was Laidlaw who reacted quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area, smashing in from close range to double their lead.
Millwall did end the first period the stronger of the two teams though as the away side seemed content with defending the lead.
The game could have been all but sealed as a fine team move saw Luca Picotto strike a firm shot but it cannoned off the post.
Despite this chance though, Caleb Redhead was leading the Lions' charge and he drew a great stop from Julian Eyestone.
The home side continued to push for an equaliser and it eventually arrived through Jaiden Celestine who did well to curl a fantastic shot into the top corner of the net.
Redhead got his goal with five minutes to go though as he pounced on an error at the back and despite Eyestone saving his first attempt, he could do little to deny the striker who tapped in to draw his team level.
The Bees did not give up and with the last move of the game a great cross from second-half substitute Theo Mawene found Owen who whipped into the bottom corner of the net to give Brentford the win.
The victory today means that the Bees close the gap to Peterborough United to two points as the west Londoners sit in third.
Millwall: Sandford, Beaumont (Payton 5), Emuze, Forbes, Parkes, Dyer, Massey, Whitby (Taylor 46), Redhead, Celeste, Mansor (Lamptey 46)
Subs: Ndikum, Jacome
Brentford: Eyestone, Wheeler-Henry, Picotto, McManus, McKnight, Grey, Pierre (Mawene 60), Owen, Boni, Trialist A (Redknapp 77), Laidlaw
Subs: Honor, Tavaziva, Asemokhai
Booked: Wheeler-Henry 68