Half-time: Brentford 0 Brighton 0

Brentford were left frustrated by solid defending after having much the better of the first half.

As in the 4-2 win over Huddersfield last Saturday, the Bees started on the front foot but this time couldn’t turn their superiority with the ball into clear-cut chances.

Liverpool loanee Sergi Canos shot over the bar early on after good work from Alan Judge and Lasse Vibe, who both looked bright in the first 20 minutes.

Brighton, who had been unbeaten all season until last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, did go close in fortunate circumstances when Rajiv van la Parra’s cross deflected off Tomer Hemed and went wide.

But the third-placed Seagulls were largely forced to dig in and keep their shape as Dean Smith’s Brentford probed.

John Swift and Vibe had shots blocked by a hard-working Brighton defence, while former Fulham keeper David Stockdale gathered an effort from distance from Ryan Woods.

As Brentford cranked up the pressure late in the half, Chelsea loanee Swift sent a low drive just past the post and Woods drilled over from just inside the box.

Brentford: Button; Yennaris, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Woods; Canos, Judge, Swift; Vibe.
Subs: Bonham, O’Connell, McCormack, McEachran, Saunders, Jota, Hofmann.