Brentford 2–1 Southend United (O’Connor 69 pen, 90 pen)

A penalty double from Kevin O’Connor allowed Brentford to register their first win in seven as they came from behind against Southend United at Griffin Park on Tuesday night.

After trailing at half-time, the Bees eventually got their noses in front deep into the third minute of added on time, when the nerveless O’Connor calmly slotted home his second penalty of the night to secure a first win since beating Norwich at home six weeks ago.

Bees boss Andy Scott was delighted to see his side return to winning ways: “I believe in them and we deserved that tonight.

"We deserved it after a really poor performance on Saturday. I asked for a response and we got that.”

Scott made two changes to the side that lost at Yeovil, recalling Danny Foster and Myles Weston, with Steve Kabba and Cleveland Taylor dropping to the bench.

The Bees got off to the worst possible start when they fell behind to a contentious ninth minute goal, when keeper Nikki Bull was adjudged to have stepped over his goal-line when grasping a Simon Francis free kick.

Brentford eventually put this setback behind them and began to create one or two half-chances. After good work by Sam Saunders on the edge of the penalty box, the ball broke to Weston, whose shot was well blocked by Steve Mildenhall in the Shrimpers’ goal.

Ten minutes later, a lightning quick break by Saunders saw him race 35 yards before being bundled over by the defender on the edge of the box. O’Connor’s resultant free-kick sailed over the crossbar.

A long ball from Bull then allowed former Southend striker Charlie MacDonald to set up Sam Wood, but his shot was blocked.

Wood was then able to cross from the left and MacDonald’s header was saved by Mildenhall.

After the half-time break, Southend continued to nurse their one goal lead until the Bees drew level midway through the second half, when Osei Sankofa fouled Weston in the box and O’Connor’s shot to the right comfortably beat Mildenhall.

The Bees were now playing with more confidence and a neat flick-on allowed Weston to play the ball over a defender and race through the middle, only to hit his shot straight at Mildenhall.

With time running out, Saunders blazed a shot over the bar before the Bees were awarded their second penalty of the night when Marcus Bean was fouled inside the box.

O’Connor was again more than up to the task, this time sending the ball straight down the middle.

Brentford: Bull; Wilson, Phillips, Bennett, Foster; Saunders, Bean, O’Connor, Wood (sub Kabba 84); MacDonald, Weston

Subs (not used): Price, Osborne, Ferrell, Blake, Legge, Taylor

Attendance: 5,578

Man of the Match: Kevin O’Connor

Match rating: 3/6.