Brentford

Swindon 1-3 Brentford
Brentford confirmed their place in the play-offs and left Swindon on the brink of relegation after an easy win. The Bees took the lead when Paul Brooker swept the ball home from 12 yards, before Marcus Gayle doubled the lead in the 39th minute. The Robins did get one back in the 70th minute when Aaron Brown beat Nelson at the near post from 12 yards. But all hopes of a rousing finish were effectively ended when super-sub Calum Whillock smashed the ball home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swindon: Evans, Gurney, Jack Smith, O'Hanlon, Nicholas, Shakes, Paul Smith (Diagouraga 45), Whalley (Brown 45), Benjamin (Jutkiewicz 57), Cureton, McPhee. Subs Not Used: Peacock, Jenkins. Booked: Gurney, Brown, Cureton. Goals: Brown 71. Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Tillen, Sodje, Turner, Brooker (Rhodes 83), Newman, Pratley, Tabb, Owusu (Willock 69), Gayle. Subs Not Used: Bankole, Smith, Lewis. Goals: Brooker 27, Gayle 39, Willock 75. Att: 6,845. Ref: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Owusu out to net World Cup place
Brentford striker Lloyd Owusu could be on the verge of being involved in the World Cup after receiving a phone call from Ghana manager Ratomir Dujkovic. Owusu is flying to Germany to join the squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly with German side Stuttgart in Wurzburg. "I found out when Mr Dujkovic phoned me on Friday and asked me to come and play in Germany," said the 29-year-old. Owusu is a latecomer to international football, having first represented Ghana last year. The Slough-born forward added: "I knew there was an inkling with regard to me making the Ghana squad. "They're due to announce the World Cup squad next month and I'd heard they had been looking at me so it was just a case of keeping on working hard at my football."

Injury ends Owusu's World Cup bid
Brentford striker Lloyd Owusu has seen his World Cup hopes ended after tearing a groin muscle while on international duty with Ghana. The 29-year-old will miss the Bees remaining games this season and will be out for six to eight weeks. He picked up the injury and was taken off in Wednesday's friendly 1-1 draw against German side Stuttgart. Owusu is a latecomer to international football, having first represented Ghana last year.

Brentford v Hartlepool
Brentford are short of strikers for their match against Hartlepool with Lloyd Owusu absent after tearing a groin muscle while playing for Ghana. Isaiah Rankin has a cartilage problem in his knee, but defender Andrew Frampton is available again. Hartlepool may have Lee Bullock (calf) and Mark Tinkler (Achilles) available for their crucial match at Brentford. Gavin Strachan (leg fracture) scored for the reserves last week, but is not expected to be fully-fit to return.

Brentford 1-1 Hartlepool
Michael Nelson's last-minute equaliser threw Hartlepool a slender relegation lifeline and left Brentford's automatic promotion hopes hanging by a thread. Hartlepool dug in to frustrate a blunt Brentford attack in the face of almost constant one-way traffic. Brentford took the lead six minutes from time when Kevin O'Connor curled in a free-kick from the edge of the box. Nelson earlier blazed over from eight yards but made amends by blasting home as Brentford failed to clear a corner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Sodje, Turner, Frampton, Brooker (Hutchinson 90), Newman (Rhodes 63), Pratley, Tabb, Gayle, Willock (Rankin 75). Subs Not Used: Tillen, Bankole. Booked: Sodje, Rankin. Goals: O'Connor 84. Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron (Darren Williams 75), Nelson, Clark, Robson, Clarke (Butler 36), Sweeney, Humphreys, Proctor, Porter, Eifion Williams (Boyd 63). Subs Not Used: Provett, Brown. Booked: Butler. Goals: Nelson 90. Att: 8,725 Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).

Trundle hails strike rival Knight
Swansea striker Lee Trundle says Leon Knight's performance in the 2-0 win over Brentford was "different class". Knight's brace fired Swansea into the League One play-off final, justifying the decision to leave 21-goal top scorer Trundle on the bench. "Leon shows that form every day in training, all four strikers here can do a great job," Trundle told Sir Stanley. "I'd only be worried being on the bench if my replacements weren't performing and we were losing matches." Swansea manager Kenny Jackett heaped praise on his £125,000 signing Knight, but also had words of encouragement for Trundle. "The quality of Leon's work is terrific, he's been on fire ever since coming here," said Jackett. "Kris O'Leary stiffened our midfield, but I would have liked us to have broken into the holes behind more effectively than we did. "I felt we only really did that when Trundle came on with five minutes to go." Knight himself said: "The goals were special because of the occasion, I got them but the team behind me created and our back line stopped everything. "I gambled on the first, the defender stalled and I lobbed it over the keeper. "The second was a move that I work on with Leon Britton, I hit it cleanly and it went into the top corner. "I've felt in form for a while, but I've had to wait to get my chance on the pitch. "Now I hope I can get a couple more goals at the Millennium Stadium!" The Cardiff showdown with Huddersfield or Barnsley on 27 May is sure to be a controversial one for Trundle. The 29-year-old Scouse striker gave a man-of-the-match performance at the same venue in last month's 2-1 Football League Trophy final win over Carlisle. But after the game he displayed a flag with an obscene message about Swansea's Welsh rivals Cardiff City, a move that provoked widespread criticism and led to a police caution. Trundle preferred not to talk about that incident and suggested that he would rather concentrate on matters on the pitch. "Big games and finals are the moments I relish, I love to perform on that sort of stage," said Trundle.

Brentford 0-2 Swansea (agg 1-3)
Leon Knight scored twice in seven first-half minutes to seal Swansea's place in the League One play-off final. Knight lifted the ball over Stuart Nelson from 20 yards for his first and then raced on to Leon Britton's pass before drilling home the second. Rory Fallon missed an excellent chance to extend the Swans lead, heading wide. Swans keeper Willy Gueret saved a curling free-kick from Kevin O'Connor and two long-distance shots from Isaiah Rankin as Brentford rallied. Swansea had not won at Griffin Park in their previous 14 visits, a run that stretched back to 1977. But Kenny Jackett's side, who were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg of the tie, will now make their second trip to the Millennium Stadium this season after winning the Football League trophy in April. The result brings to an end a disappointing finish to the campaign for Brentford, who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion after drawing six of their last seven games of the regular season. Brentford, who lost to Sheffield Wednesday at the same stage last year, have now been unsuccessful in six end-of-season play-off campaigns. It might have been very different for Brentford if Jamie Smith had converted a good chance after just 20 seconds. The ball broke to Smith on the edge of the area but he made a poor contact and his shot was comfortably saved. A series of crunching tackles followed as both teams looked to take control - but Knight's brace soon ensured that Swansea were firmly in command. The opener came after Fallon got the slightest of flick-ons to Willy Gueret's long ball forward and Knight then hooked the ball over Nelson with his outstretched right leg. The second, with 15 minutes gone, was a brilliant finish - Knight smashing the ball past Nelson with his second touch after controlling Leon Britton's excellent through ball. Bees boss Martin Allen brought on Callum Willock for Ricky Newman after 24 minutes as he looked to manufacture a change of fortune. Jay Tabb shot wide and Alex Rhodes forced Gueret into action but the Swans continued to pose the greater goal threat and Fallon should have extended their lead before the break only to head wide when completely unmarked. Allen made a further two substitutions at half-time, introducing Paul Brooker and Sam Tillen - and his team enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure as they tried to force their way back into the tie. Gueret saved a free-kick from Kevin O'Connor and a strike from Rankin, while Willock headed over from a Brooker cross. Rankin forced another save from Gueret late on before Swansea almost extended their lead after hitting Brentford on the break but Tom Williams could not keep his effort on target. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford manager Martin Allen: "We have a lot of good players out of contract, and we go from this game into making decisions about players' careers. "I will settle down on Monday, meet my staff and make decisions about players. "I've no complaints about the result. Swansea were stronger than us and Leon Knight produced two quality finishes." Swansea manager Kenny Jackett: "It was a battling performance. Griffin Park is a difficult place to come to and we handled it well. "We have withstood the pressure, there were holes to break into and we could have done better in the second half. "But I cannot complain and I am now looking forward to the final - I am delighted to be there." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Sodje, Turner, Frampton (Tillen 45), Smith (Brooker 45), Newman (Willock 23), Pratley, Tabb, Rhodes, Rankin. Subs Not Used: Bankole, Hutchinson. Booked: Rankin. Swansea: Gueret, Tate, Austin, Monk, Ricketts, Britton, O'Leary, Tudur-Jones, Robinson (Williams 74), Knight (Forbes 67), Fallon (Trundle 85). Subs Not Used: Murphy, Akinfenwa. Booked: Robinson, Fallon. Goals: Knight 8, 15. Att: 10,652 Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).

Dobson goes in Brentford clearout
Brentford boss Martin Allen has given free transfers to Michael Dobson, Ricky Newman, Scott Fitzgerald and Paul Brooker after their play-off defeat. He has also told George Bankole, Eddie Hutchinson, Junior Lewis and Marcus Gayle he cannot offer them new deals now but will talk to them this summer. Allen also said he will keep Jay Tabb, if the player's wish to play at a higher level does not materialise. And he wants to offer new contracts to Kevin O'Connor and Michael Turner.

Striker Rankin makes Grimsby move
Grimsby Town manager Graham Rodger has made former Brentford striker Isaiah Rankin his first new signing. Rankin has agreed a two-year deal at Blundell Park after ending a two-year stint at Brentford. The 28-year-old previously spent three months on loan at Grimsby in the 2003/04 season, when he scored four times in 12 games. Rankin has also had spells with Bradford City and Barnsley after starting his career at Arsenal.

Brentford continue squad-building
Brentford boss Leroy Rosenior has offered a contract to ex-Staines striker Gavin Tomlin, who scored in the 1-0 friendly win at Hampton & Richmond. Rosenior told the club website: \"He has good potential and can play either wide right or up front.\" Meanwhile Rosenior is also in talks with former QPR player Georges Santos over a possible move to Griffin Park. And the Bees are also watching Welling striker Danny Kedwell, who recently spent a week training with them. The Wings would want a fee for their top scorer, but boss Adrian Pennock told Sir Stanley: \"I don't want to stand in the boy's way. \"I don't want him to leave - and if he stays, it will be brilliant for the club - but he's got a young family and he's got to look after them.\" Kedwell won the Conference South player of the month award three times last season, having joined Welling from Herne Bay in the summer of 2005.

Santos rejects Brentford contract
Brentford have failed to agree terms with trialist defender George Santos. The former QPR man, 34, played in three pre-season friendlies for the Bees but has now left the League One outfit. Brentford boss Leroy Rosenior was unable to reach a deal to recruit the experienced centre-back after he turned down Brentford's contract offer. Santos started his career at Tranmere, before having spells at West Brom, Sheffield United, Grimsby, Ipswich and finally moving to QPR in July 2004.

Brentford 1-0 Blackpool
The tenure of new Brentford boss Leroy Rosenior got off to a winning start courtesy of an Oli Skulason strike. Rosenior, who took over the club during the summer, had to wait until the 74th minute for the eventual winner. Midfielder Skulason pounced in a busy goalmouth to sidefoot home after the Bees had improved after the break. Blackpool were frustrated by Bees keeper Clark Masters in the first half while Keith Southern's diving header came back off the inside of the post. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford: Masters, O'Connor, Frampton, Heywood, Charles, Brooker (Tillen 63), Skulason, Pinault, Rhodes, Willock, Kuffour (Tomlin 52). Subs Not Used: Moore, Osborne, Ide. Booked: Charles, Brooker. Goals: Skulason 74. Blackpool: Evans, Joseph, Barker, Jackson, Tierney (Coid 75), Forbes, Southern, Fox, Prendergast (Hoolahan 80), Vernon (Graham 68), Parker. Subs Not Used: Jones, Evatt. Booked: Prendergast, Fox. Att: 6,048 Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).

Brighton 2-2 Brentford
Chris Moore struck in the fourth minute of injury-time to earn Brentford a draw and leave both sides unbeaten. Moore chased Adam Griffiths' long pass and capitalised on a defensive error to slot home his second goal this week. Dean Hammond had put Albion ahead with a penalty after Thomas Pinault pushed Tony Stokes and Gary Hart doubled the lead from from Adam El-Abd's cross. Kevin O'Connor put the Bees back in the game by firing in a direct free-kick in his 200th appearance for the club. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brighton: Henderson, Reid, El-Abd, Lynch, Mayo, Hammond, Carpenter, Stokes, Revell, Hart (Cox 73), Robinson (Loft 85). Subs Not Used: Kuipers, Gatting, Lowe. Goals: Hammond 10 pen, Hart 13. Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Heywood, Griffiths, Frampton, Tomlin (Willock 64), Skulason, Pinault (Brooker 74), Tillen (Rhodes 83), Moore, Kuffour. Subs Not Used: Masters, Osborne. Booked: Pinault, Skulason. Goals: O'Connor 38, Moore 90. Att: 6,745 Ref: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).

Brentford v Huddersfield
Brentford defenders Andy Frampton and Darius Charles are a doubt for the match against Huddersfield. Frampton twisted an ankle in training, Charles is struggling with the groin injury and Gavin Tomlin could also miss the match with a foot injury. Huddersfield are likely to be without midfielder Chris Brandon. He is currently waiting for scan results having sustained an ankle injury in training and Andy Booth remains doubtful with a calf problem.

Brentford 2-2 Huddersfield
Huddersfield striker Luke Beckett stole the headlines as the Terriers twice came from behind to snatch a dramatic draw at Brentford. Jo Kuffour thought he had earned the Bees victory when he converted Alex Rhodes' cross on 89 minutes. But Beckett secured a last-gasp equaliser with a 12-yard drive to liven up an otherwise drab game. Brentford took a 71st-minute lead through Kuffour's header but Danny Schofield equalised moments later. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brentford: Nelson, O'Connor, Heywood, Griffiths, Tillen, Brooker (Mousinho 90), Pinault, Skulason (Osborne 65), Kuffour, Moore, Willock (Rhodes 71). Subs Not Used: Masters, Ide. Booked: Skulason, O'Connor. Goals: Kuffour 70, 89. Huddersfield: Glennon, Holdsworth, Mirfin, Nathan Clarke, Adams, Taylor-Fletcher (Booth 45), Hudson, Worthington, Schofield, Abbott (Young 76), Beckett. Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Tom Clarke, McCombe. Booked: Worthington, Abbott. Goals: Schofield 72, Beckett 90. Att: 5,709 Ref: L Probert (Gloucestershire).

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