Harlee Dean said the Brentford players were “delighted” with their Sky Bet League One win over Leyton Orient.
The Bees won 1-0 in East London yesterday afternoon in front of the Sky TV cameras, the first time they have won an away league game against Orient since 1995.
Marcello Trotta scored the only goal of the game, firing home from the edge of the penalty area in first half stoppage time.
Harlee came on early in the second half to play in the centre of defence.
He had missed the past three games with injury but was pushed in to action when James Tarkowski was sent off.
Harlee, speaking to Bees Player after the final whistle, said the circumstances made the win even better.
“Everyone is ecstatic,” said the defender.
“It is a great result.
“With the way the game went, it made the three points even better.
“Everyone is delighted and it was a result we needed.”
Harlee praised the way Brentford played with ten men.
He said the midfield and attackers worked hard to close the space and the defence protected goalkeeper David Button.
“It is tough to play with ten men, especially when you are playing a good team,” said Harlee.
“We did well, we didn’t drop off, we stayed high and we pressed all over the pitch, even with ten men.
“The midfield and strikers put some great work in, chasing all over the pitch, closing people down and not giving them time on the ball.
“It made our job easier at the back.
“It was tough but we dealt with it well.
“As a defence you have to make sure your goalkeeper does not make too many saves.”
Harlee said he has been suffering with foot and abdominal injuries in recent weeks.
He has missed Brentford’s last three games but had trained this week and felt ready.
He admitted he was disappointed to be named as a substitute and said he was ready to play through the pain for The Bees.
“Everything happens for a reason,” said Harlee.
“I have been working really hard over the past few weeks to get back to fitness.
“I felt ready today.
“I was disappointed to be on the bench.
“I am not pleased that James got sent off but I got my chance and I think I did well.
“I have foot and abdominal injuries; I am playing through the pain and getting on with it.
“We have 11 games to go and I want to be part of it.
“I want to help the team, I feel I can play and give a good account of myself.
“The medical team said I could have an operation, play on, or be in a boot for the rest of the season.
“I don’t want to give up, I want to play and prove that we can do this altogether.
“I can take the pain, that is what I do.
“I have only missed a few games.
“You go back in, do your job and try and play better.”
Harlee praised Brentford’s character and said The Bees had come back stronger after the disappointments of last season.
On the final day of 2012/13 against Doncaster Rovers Brentford missed a stoppage time penalty that would have given them promotion and then lost in the Play-Off Final.
Harlee said the Orient win proved Brentford’s strength.
“We won our battles, we won our headers, we blocked shots,” he said.
“We had George Saville running 35 yards to close down the centre half and goalkeeper.
“We have had that character since last season.
“What happened against Doncaster last year happened for a reason.
“We have come back mentally stronger this year
“This game proved it.”
Brentford’s goal came in first half stoppage time.
Marcello Trotta picked up an Adam Forshaw lay-off and smashed in from 20 yards.
Harlee said those goals were why Marcello Trotta was in the team.
“That is what Marcello Trotta does,” said Harlee.
“He looks like he is not doing anything and then he smashes one in the top corner.
“That is why he is in the team.
“He does it in training all the time.
“He has improved from last year, he chases people down more and he saves his energy for things like that.
“He won us the game.”
Harlee said it was important Brentford did not make the Orient win to be bigger than it was.
Brentford are second in the League One table now, having climbed above Orient in to the promotion places, and have 11 games remaining.
The first of those is against Coventry City at Griffin Park next Saturday.
“This is just another game,” said Harlee.
“We tick another one off today, there are 11 to go.
“That’s three points, it’s against Leyton Orient and that’s brilliant but we have Coventry next week and there are another three points there.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full interview with Harlee Dean here.