First-half goals sink Brentford

Leyton Orient 2 Brentford 0

Goals from Kevin Lisbie and Jimmy Smith dealt Brentford’s fading play-off hopes another blow.

Lisbie’s 29th-minute header from Dean Cox’s free-kick put Leyton Orient in front and they went further ahead just before half-time, when an unmarked Smith fired home.

It left Brentford to rue a terrible early miss by on-loan striker Saido Berahino, who somehow managed not to hit the target after keeper Paul Rachubka had failed to hold Niall McGinn’s cross.

And after Lisbie’s opener, the Bees almost equalised when McGinn’s header brought a good save from Rachubka.

But Brentford’s lack of attacking options in the wake of Gary Alexander’s exit were highlighted when boss Uwe Rosler made a double change at the break.

Rosler, upset at Alexander’s recent move to Crawley Town and unable to sign a striker ahead of this game, brought on Harry Forrester and young striker Antonio German for McGinn and Berahino.

The visitors struggled to create chances in the second half and, to rub salt into Brentford fans’ wounds, Alexander scored twice for Crawley against Port Vale – taking his tally for the season to 17.

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