Lee Carsley’s Development Squad suffered a second consecutive defeat as Hull City came from behind to pick up the three points on a rain-drenched night on the banks of the River Humber at North Ferriby United.
James Ferry deservedly put The Bees ahead after eight minutes with a stunning 30 yard strike but that was cancelled out on the brink of half-time as Will Annan’s shot was deflected past Mark Smith.
Conor Townsend put the hosts in front with 15 minutes to play before the points were wrapped up late on as Jarrod Bowen swept home from 12 yards.
It was a very youthful side that took to the field for Lee Carsley with seven of last year’s Youth Team, who were beaten 3-2 by Hull City at North Ferriby United in the FA Youth Cup, in the starting XI.
With The Bees playing a narrow diamond in midfield, Carsley’s side dominated in the early stages in very difficult conditions beside the Humber Bridge.
Jan Holldack, playing in the advanced midfield role, saw his shot blocked away by Harry Maguire and Zain Westbrooke was also denied by a brave bit of defending just seconds after Max Clark had shot wide for the hosts.
The opening goal followed in the eighth minute as a low cross by Tom Field was well held up by Jatta and rolled it back into the path of the on-rushing Ferry who whipped the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.
The hosts were looking to be more direct than The Bees and in conditions which made it difficult for defenders to judge the flight of the ball they were having some success.
Calaum Jahraldo Martin shot well over the bar after getting in behind while Jarrod Bowen had Smith scrambling across his line as a fierce drive whistled just over the top.
Field got a vital touch to take the ball away from Maguire at the back post before another bit of fine defending from the left-back allowed him to tee up Holldack but his shot lacked power and was straight at Rory Watson.
Annan headed a deep Conor Townsend cross wide, Clark sent an opportunistic effort from 40 yards skipping wide and Martin was dispossessed when poised to fire home as the hosts ended the half on the front foot.
Eventually The Tigers took one of their chances, albeit with a large slice of luck, as Annan’s original shot rebounded to him and when he took aim for a second time the ball deflected off O’Shaughnessy to beat a helpless Smith at his near post.
Ryan Williams had an instant chance to restore The Bees advantage but he shot well over from the edge of the D and, with the last action of the half, Smith beat away a fierce effort from Johan Ter Horst.
The hosts started the second-half much the stronger and should have gone ahead four minutes after the break but Ter Horst planted his header well wide from a central position eight yards out.
Matthew Dixon sent a dipping half-volley just wide and Ter Horst turned a wicked running cross from Townsend the wrong side of Smith’s near post as The Tigers made all the running in the early stages.
If The Bees goal had been leading a charmed life early on in the half it was nothing like what was to come as in the space of 30 seconds Audrius Laucys made an inch perfect covering tackle to deny Martin, Smith saved from Bowen and Ter Horst was millimetres away from connecting with Martin’s cross at the back post.
Carsley’s side looked to have weathered the storm and were enjoying a decent spell in the match when a moment of real quality from Townsend put The Tigers ahead – Ferry clipped Bowen 30 yards out and Townsend whipped a left-footed free-kick high past Smith and into the top corner.
Bowen could have given the hosts breathing space shortly after but Smith beat away his well-struck effort while at the other end Watson showed good handling in the wet conditions to hold Holldack’s long-range effort.
Tony Pennock’s side did wrap up the points with nine minutes to play as Ter Horst drove into the box and when he squared from the right-hand side Bowen was there to sidefoot home from 10 yards.
Dixon curled over and Annan couldn’t keep his shot down before The Bees had a chance to set up a nervy final two minutes but Watson made a fine sprawling save at Bohui’s feet and Jatta headed the rebound wide from 12 yards.
Hull City: Rory Watson; Josh Clackstone, Will Aimson, Harry Maguire, Conor Townsend; Will Annan, Matthew Dixon, Max Clark, Calaum Jahraldo Martin; Johan Ter Horst, Jarrod Bowen (sub Greg Olley 84 mins) Subs not used: Erik Bukran, Ben Clappison, Harvey Rogers, Taylor Tombides
Brentford: Mark Smith; Audrius Laucys, Gradi Milenge, Daniel O'Shaughnessy, Tom Field; James Ferry, Zain Westbrooke (sub Giovanni McGregor 66 mins); Ryan Williams, Jan Holldack, Seika Jatta; Bradley Clayton (sub Josh Bohui 40 mins) Subs not used: Montell Moore, Courtney Senior