Toumani Diagouraga said he felt the first goal of Brentford’s Sky Bet League One London derby against Leyton Orient would decide the match.
The East London side beat The Bees 2-0 at Griffin Park last night to win their eighth League One game out of eight.
The Bees had the better of the match for long spells but fell behind to a David Mooney penalty.
Shaun Batt sealed the win late on.
Toumani said Brentford were disappointed to lose and he felt they were playing OK until falling behind.
He described the opening goal as a “sucker punch” that proved to be crucial.
“We are very disappointed to lose at home,” said the midfield man, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“We are usually good at home.
“To lose the game was disappointing.
“I thought we played OK until we conceded the first goal.
“It was a tight game.
“We knew it would be tough with them having won seven out of seven.
“The first goal was going to decide it, unfortunately they got it.
“They are confident; they felt they could beat us.
“After half time we knew the first goal would be crucial.
“We tried to get it but it wasn’t meant to be.
“We were pushing for the goal but got hit by a sucker punch.”
Toumani said he felt the penalty, awarded after a tussle between Mooney and Shaleum Logan was the right decision.
He said Brentford tried to respond but Orient were well organised and hard to break down.
The midfield player said Brentford’s squad were not happy with a tally of 12 points from their first eight games but would come back stronger and get in to the promotion race.
“I think it was a penalty,” he said.
“We tried to respond but they were organised and made it hard for us.
“We wanted to get back in to the game but not be too exposed and concede another one.
“They were very good; they made it hard for us.
“A lot of teams come here to defend; they had a go at us.
“We are not happy but we know it is a marathon and not a sprint.
“All that matters is where we are in April and May.
“We will take each game as it comes, we have confidence in ourselves and we know we will come back stronger.”
Toumani played his 300th game in professional football last night, a week after notching up his 250th Football League game.
The midfield man only started one of Brentford’s first six league games but said he had worked hard to get a place and now wanted to keep it.
“I didn’t realise I hit 300 games tonight, I am pleased with that,” he said.
“Hopefully I can add to it.
“At the start I wasn’t too involved but I had to dig in and get my chance.
“Now I have to do everything to stay in the team.”
A full video interview with Toumani Diagouraga is available here for Bees Player subscribers.