Saunders strikes to take Bees through

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Brentford 1 Crawley Town 0

Sam Saunders scored on his first-team return to send Brentford into the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy southern section quarter-final.

The midfielder had missed the last two matches because of a calf problem but came off the bench at half-time and grabbed his first goal of the season, netting from close-range following Scott Barron’s 73rd-minute cross.

Dallas made his debut.

Bees boss Uwe Rosler made a number of changes to the side that beat Crawley 2-1 in the league on Saturday – and he handed a competitive debut to summer signing Stuart Dallas, who came on in the second half.

Shaleum Logan and Jake Bidwell were rested so club captain Kevin O’Connor, Scott Barron and Leon Legge returned.

Midfielders Jonathan Douglas and Adam Forshaw were also given the night off, with Tom Adeyemi coming in.

Richard Lee made his first start in goal this season after recovering from a knee injury, with Simon Moore another omission.

And Lee did excellently to deny former Brentford man Billy Clarke and keep the score level at half-time.

The keeper’s reaction save came after Clayton Donaldson had failed to score when he was put through one-on-one with Crawley keeper Paul Jones.

Barron hit the outside of the post early in the second half before his delivery found its way to Saunders unmarked at the far post and he lashed home.

Tony Craig ensured Brentford avoided extra time when he cleared off the line in stoppage time after Lee had failed to punch clear.

Brentford (4-4-2): Lee; O’Connor, Legge, Dean, Craig; Adeyemi, Diagouraga, Forrester (Saunders 46), Barron (Dallas 74); Hayes, Donaldson (German 58).
Subs not used: Fredericks, Reeves

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