Brentford Manager Mark Warburton hailed his players for a “tremendous” performance in their defeat at Watford last night.
The Bees were beaten 2-1 at Vicarage Road in the Sky Bet Championship clash.
They fell behind to a controversial penalty late in the first half – a decision Mark, speaking after the match, described as “appalling” – but fought back to equalise in the second half when Jonathan Douglas ended a sweeping move with a low finish.
Brentford appeared to have the momentum but Matěj Vydra lashed in a half volley from 22 yards to win the game inside the final 20 minutes.
Mark said the penalty decision, inside the last five minutes of the first half, changed the game.
The Bees had fought back after a difficult start and were on top when Odion Ighalo went down, appealing he had been fouled by James Tarkowski.
Referee Graham Salisbury awarded the spot kick; Ighalo stepped up and converted the rebound after David Button had saved his penalty.
The Brentford boss added the winning goal, from Vydra was one The Bees could do nothing about.
“I thought the players were tremendous this evening,” said Mark.
“In the first ten minutes, Vydra caused us a problem dropping in to the hole and the boys recognised it.
“Jonathan Douglas and Toumani Diagouraga were excellent in that respect.
“It was an even first half but once again we were hit by an appalling decision.
“We can’t keep having those appalling decisions.
“At half time the feeling among the players was one of anger.
“They wanted to correct a wrong.
“From the first whistle of the second half they were outstanding.
“We battered them, got to 1-1 and were in a good game.
“We looked dangerous going forward; we had good quality, tempo, energy and desire.
“Everyone was exceptional and there was a wonder strike to win the game.
“Sometimes you have to just say it’s a great goal, all credit to the player.
“It was a tremendous goal but it should have been their first goal.
“If we look at what we did wrong in the second half, I can’t think of much.
“The shocking decision changed the game.”
Mark outlined his view of the penalty.
“The Watford player went in to the box,” he said.
“James Tarkowski is alongside him.
“Tarky’s hands are up and the player goes straight to ground.
“Their player accused Tarky of hitting him in the face with his cast.
“There was no contact whatsoever.
“There was a delay and apparently that was down to the referee deciding if it was a yellow card or a straight red.
“He then doesn’t book him.
“Just before half time that type of decision, and we have had a few of them.
“I hate to come across as if I have sour grapes but I am so disappointed for the players, and more than 2,000 fantastic fans.
“We deserved at least a point out of that game.”
Mark said the penalty changed his half time team talk but he praised the way his players responded.
They got an equaliser when, after a period of possession, Moses Odubajo darted forward and Alan Judge played Douglas in to score.
That was not, however, enough to get them a point.
“The decision changed the team talk,” said Mark.
“There was anger and we had to channel that.
“We have to keep playing football and come out with a fast start.
“We were excellent from the first whistle of the second half.
“We deserved something from the game.
“There is a danger you can execute the plan in the wrong way when you are angry but we were excellent.
“We did a really good job and there was one team in it.
“We scored a good goal, there are loads of positives but we are going home with no points.”
Mark made one change to the team that beat Leeds United on Saturday, bringing Diagouraga in for Alex Pritchard.
Mark said Diagouraga had trained well and was coming back to his former club while Pritchard needed a rest – having been away with England’s Under-21 side during Brentford’s break last month.
“The team did very well on Saturday and the temptation is to keep it as it was,” said Mark.
“But I am conscious Alex went away with the Under-21s and there is another squad named on Thursday.
“If he goes again, the other players get a break and he doesn’t.
“He is 21 and we have to look after him and make sure he is rested.
“Toumani has been outstanding in training, as has Marcos Tébar, Jon Toral, Nick Proschwitz – they are all pushing very hard.
“Toumani deserved his start, this is his old club and I thought he would come here with a purpose.
“He was excellent and influenced the game.”
Brentford are at home on Saturday, October 4, when they face Reading.
Reading are tenth, with a game in hand, after a draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
“We will want to entertain another big crowd and make sure they go home happy,” said Mark.
“I watched Reading play Wolves, they have good front runners and we have to be aware.
“The players have earned the right to play at this level.
“We have come here tonight and hopefully we have left an impression.
“I am bitterly disappointed to not go away with a point.”
Bees Player subscribers can see full post-match reaction from Mark Warburton here.