Brentford Manager Uwe Rösler said his team produced a “very good” performance in their 1-1 draw with Coventry City.
The Bees fell behind to a disputed penalty at the end of the first half but Harry Forrester turned in a Clayton Donaldson cross to level after half time.
It ended a run of three straight away defeats for Brentford – against Stevenage, Carlisle United and, on Easter Monday, Milton Keynes Dons – and Uwe said it would give his team confidence ahead of their next match, another away game, against Crewe Alexandra on Wednesday.
The Bees had chances to win it – Clayton Donaldson lifted a ball over Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy and just past the far post in the first half and then lashed over late on.
Uwe said his team started well but Coventry got back in to it as the first half went on.
He introduced Toumani Diagouraga for Jonathan Douglas, who was suffering with a knock, at half time and said his team had complete control after the break.
“The performance was very good,” said Uwe.
“It was another very good away game, I am very happy
“We addressed the game differently than against MK Dons.
“We were very high against MK Dons, we pressed them in their half, we can’t do that every game.
“Today the plan was to let them come at us and use the pace of Clayton Donaldson.
“It nearly paid dividends with the massive chance we had for Clayton in the first half.
“We started, in the first 20 minutes, fantastically in terms of performance, playing in their half and creating chances.
“The game evened out and they got a bit more control in midfield.
“That was not a surprise as they had a player more in there.
“In the second half we brought on Toumani Diagouraga and we had complete control.
“They only had two shots from outside the box.
“This was Coventry, who have played very well recently.
“We got the equaliser and had another couple of chances.
“There was a massive one from Clayton in the last five minutes.
“Overall I am very happy.
“We got a point, we stopped the rot, it will give us confidence going in to the decisive game against Crewe on Wednesday.”
Coventry were awarded a penalty when Harlee Dean tussled with Richard Wood and the Coventry central defender threw himself down.
Uwe said referee Scott Mathieson explained at half time why he had given the spot kick but he thought it was soft.
“The Coventry Manager was not happy that I spoke to the referee at half time,” said Uwe.
“I asked why he gave it and he explained it to me.
“He said it was given for holding in the box.
“I thought it was a soft penalty and I have seen a replay and I am still of the same opinion.
“Overall the referee was experienced and that showed in the way he handled the game.
“I thought there were a couple of times we could have had a penalty for handball.
“It was more important that we performed well.”
More than 1,600 Brentford fans made the trip to the Ricoh Arena for the match five days after more than 2,000 had travelled to the match at MK Dons.
Uwe was full of praise for the supporters.
“The away support we got today was unbelievable,” he said.
“I didn’t expect similar numbers as at MK Dons because it was further away.
“It was fantastic for me to see.
“It was good the players gave them something to cheer.
“They must be happy with the way we came back in to the game and went for it over 90 minutes to win.
“On paper, with the names we had out, it might have looked as if we played defensively but that was not the case.
“We had the better chances, clear chances, dominated the second half and are hard done by that we didn’t get three points.”
Brentford are fourth in npower League One with five games left to play.
The Bees have games in hand on all the teams above them and play one of those at Crewe on Wednesday.
Crewe play Southend United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final at Wembley this afternoon and Uwe said his team need to use the extra rest they will have before the match.
He said Brentford had to win if they wanted to take an automatic promotion place.
“Crewe are a good footballing side,” he said.
“They don’t have a chance of the Play-Offs and have concentrated on the cup final.
“I wish them all the best for that.
“We have an extra day recovery and we will go there and go for three points.
“We have to.
“It is a massive game for us.
“We can still go up automatically but we have to win at Crewe.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Uwe Rösler here.