Saunders scores twice in Under-21 game against Crystal Palace

Sam Saunders struck twice in the closing minutes as Brentford Under-21s hit back to beat Crystal Palace 3-2.

The midfielder, who has made just one brief first-team appearance this season as he continues to step up his recovery from injury, equalised with a free-kick in the 90th minute and then scored the winner in injury-time.

Lewis MacLeod also got 90 minutes under his belt, with Jan Holldack, Jermaine Udumaga, Josh Laurent and Chris Senior also starting for the Bees.

Brentford were behind at the break to Aaron Bissaka’s goal on the half-hour mark and fell 2-0 down on 57 minutes, when Ollie O’Dwyer headed home from a corner.

Midway through the second half, Montell Moore pulled a goal back for the Bees with a strike from 25 yards but they looked destined for defeat until Saunders’ two late goals.