Stuart Dallas said Brentford showed their “true character” to find a way to break down Crawley Town and take a “big” Sky Bet League One win.
The Bees beat Crawley 1-0 at Griffin Park last night to secure their position in the League One promotion places.
Jonathan Douglas scored the only goal, heading in an Alan Judge cross.
Stuart admitted the goal was a bit lucky as the header was not powerful and Crawley goalkeeper Paul Jones should have kept it out.
Stuart said Crawley were hard to break down but Brentford played well.
He said The Bees knew at half time with the game at 0-0 that the goal would come.
“I thought we were good,” said Stuart, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“We dominated posession in the first half; they were hard to break down.
“We knew at half time if we kept going and doing what we were doing, we would break them down.
“We got a bit of luck with the goal but we’ll take that.
“Teams are happy to go away with a point; they try to make it hard for us.
“That is where we show our true character, keep playing and trying to break them down.
“Thankfully tonight it paid off.”
Stuart started on the right of a front three with Alan Judge on the left.
He said Brentford Manager Mark Warburton gives them the option to roam and switch positions and it had been effective.
“The way we play, with 4-3-3, we have two wingers, I like to stay wide and Alan Judge comes inside, that is what he is good at,” said Stuart.
“We have to make the pitch big; it gives room to get on the ball.
“I stay wide and stretch them.
“We have to play the way we can.
“The gaffer said we can change but we get back in position when it breaks down.
“Alan and I have a good understanding.
“All over the park it is the same.
“It is pretty effective.”
Stuart started for the second time in four days – having also played in the win against Notts County on Saturday – his first league starts of the season.
After playing his second 90, he praised the coaching staff for ensuring he was ready.
“The manager has said everybody has to be ready and fit,” said Stuart.
“He rotates his squad and I said after the game on Saturday I wouldn’t be disappointed not to play.
“I would, to a certain extent, but I would understand and wouldn’t sulk.
“It’s about getting three points and every player plays a crucial part.
“A lot of credit has to go to fitness coaches, the gaffer and [Brentford Assistant Manager] David Weir.
“Players do an extra bit to stay in good shape.”
Brentford are second in League One, nine points ahead of nearest challengers Rotherham United with five games to go.
Rotherham were beaten at Sheffield United last night but Stuart said that did not matter to Brentford’s players.
He said they were only concerned with their own results and performances, starting with a game away to Swindon Town on Saturday.
“Nothing changes,” said Stuart.
“We still have to get the job done.
“We are not worried about Rotherham and whether they dropped points, we are worried about our next game and that is Swindon on Saturday.
“Hopefully we can get another three points.
“Every result at this stage is big.
“We have to do our thing and we look no further than Swindon.”
He said he was looking forward to the Swindon game and fighting for promotion was much better than battling relegation, as he was during a loan spell at League Two Northampton Town earlier this season.
“It will be good if we can do it but there is a long way to go,” said Stuart.
“There are five games and there will be twists and turns.
“We look no further than Swindon.
“You are in the wrong sport if you are not looking forward to it.
“I love playing under this pressure.
“I played under different pressure at Northampton and I much prefer this.
“We will get a good rest, come in Thursday and go again.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Stuart Dallas here.