Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said an incorrect penalty award changed the flow of the game in his team’s 2-1 win over Notts County and led to a difficult last 15 minutes.
The Bees looked to have given themselves breathing space when they went 2-0 up with 20 minutes remaining against County.
But Alan Judge went down under minimal contact from Jake Bidwell and referee Andy D’Urso pointed to the spot after his senior assistant, who was closest to the incident, signalled a foul had been committed.
Uwe said the County player had dived for the spot kick and he was unhappy it was given.
The Bees took the points with Bradley Wright-Phillips getting a second half goal to add to one from Toumani Diagouraga in the first half that County goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski inexplicably allowed through his grasp.
Brentford dominated until they went 2-0 up, hitting the post and playing most of the game on the front foot.
But they had to withstand late pressure after County pulled one back minutes after Brentford’s second, Judge scoring from the re-bound after Simon Moore had saved the spot kick from Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
“I wasn’t happy with the penalty decision,” said Uwe, speaking after the match.
“I think the linesman, who gave it, will be very disappointed when he sees the replay.
“I think it was a careless decision that changed the game.
“These days referees have to realise they have a big responsibility.
“There was slight contact with the arm but none with the feet.
“Alan Judge, a player I really admire, didn’t help the case by diving.
“The game could have been over before them, especially with the way we played in the first half and the way we started.
“I was hoping we could get an early goal and then a second goal and play on the counter.
“We got the second goal but then this penalty situation invited pressure from Notts County.
“Notts County did very well in the last 15 minutes.”
It was Brentford’s third straight win – after beating Swindon Town and Preston North End – and fourth in a row at home.
Uwe said he wanted his team to press Notts County back and it worked well until the penalty award.
“The plan today was the same as against Preston, press high up the pitch and win the ball,” he said.
“It worked well, everything went our way.
“We hoped to get the second goal early and play with Clayton Donaldson and Bradley Wright-Phillips on the counter attack.
“We got the second goal in the second half but still at a really good time.
“Then the penalty was awarded.
“We got three points, that is the most important thing.”
Bradley Wright-Phillips’ winning goal was his first in a Brentford shirt.
Uwe said he had four strikers currently available who could do a good job at npower League One level – Clayton Donaldson, Marcello Trotta and Antonio German, recently returned from a loan spell at Gillingham, along with the match winner.
“It was time for Bradley to score,” said Uwe.
“His all round play has been very good.
“He looks a handful, he used his experience and physical attributes very well today over long spells of the game.
“I was very happy he got the goal.
“He deserved it.
“He looked dangerous all day.
“We have four god strikers at the moment.
“Antonio German came back from a loan spell and was on the bench today.
“I would have loved to have given him some minutes but the game was different than expected in the last 15 minutes.
“I have different combinations and can play with one up or three up.
“That is a strength not many teams have.”
Brentford climbed to third in npower League One with the win.
They are level on points with AFC Bournemouth in second, having played two games fewer, and two points behind leaders Doncaster Rovers with a game in hand.
“It was in our hands before the game, it still is now,” said Uwe.
“Nobody in this league will win all their games.
“Bournemouth is the only team that has the capability of winning every game until the end of the season.
“Even they have struggled in periods of the second half of the season.
“It will be tight to the end.
“We will be in there but we have to play better than we did in the last 15 minutes.”
Brentford’s next game is a trip to Milton Keynes Dons on Monday.
The Bees have never lost an away game against The Dons, after seven visits, and beat them at Griffin Park earlier this season.
“Every time we have time to prepare against MK Dons we look very good,” said Uwe.
“This time we don’t have long to prepare but we know how to beat MK Dons, we have a good track record against them in the last four games.”
A crowd of more than 7,400 saw the win and Uwe said his players deserved the third highest Griffin Park league attendance of the season.
The Bees have two more home games remaining – against Portsmouth on April 13 and Doncaster on April 27, the final day of the season – to add to five away games.
“The players deserved the bigger crowd, they have worked really hard,” said Uwe.
“We have two home games left and they will be crucial.
“I hope we can fill Griffin Park for those games.
“If we win those and get one or two away wins, which is possible from our five games, we are there.”
Uwe Rösler’s post-match reaction can be seen here by Bees Player subscribers.