Brentford fell to the narrowest of defeats against league leaders Charlton Athletic, losing 1-0 at Griffin Park on Saturday.

Despite an impressive first half display, when they were the better side, the Bees fell behind midway through the second half and despite their best efforts, couldn’t haul themselves level.

Afterwards a disappointed Bees’ boss Uwe Rosler said: “We didn’t deserve to lose that game. I feel gutted. I think we dominated the game, apart from just after the break. Over the 90 minutes I think we were clearly the better team.”

The Bees started brightly, with Gary Alexander bringing a good save out of former Bee Ben Hamer after only five minutes.

As the half progressed Brentford came even closer to taking the lead when Niall McGinn saw his shot deflected wide.

McGinn then cut in front the right and after his low shot cannoned off the left hand post, Toumani Diagouraga should have done better when he blazed over the bar.

At the other end Charlton’s impressive Danny Green picked the ball up and fired wide of the post from 30 yards out.

Despite Brentford being awarded a free kick in a promising position 25 yards out, Sam Saunders couldn’t get his shot over the wall.

As the half drew to a close some smart footwork from McGinn saw him cross from the left and Clayton Donaldson headed a great chance wide.

Early in the second half the Addicks’ Yann Kermorgant saw his optimistic shot over the bar from 25 yards out.

The game’s defining moments came ten minutes into the half after Shaleum Logan went down heavily after colliding with Richard Lee on the edge of the Bees’ box.

The defender was eventually stretchered off and as Brentford looked to re-group the Addicks scored the decisive goal after an excellent cross from Green on the right was slotted home from six yards out by Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Charlton could have extended their lead when Wright-Phillips fired wide from six yards out, while Green’s dipping effort from 30 yards out sailed just over the bar.

As the Bees mounted a final push substitute Mike Grella came close to equalising, but his header was saved by Hamer, who also made a brave save at the feet of Alexander as his side held on for a fortunate three points.

Brentford: Lee, Logan (Bean 63), Llera, Legge, Woodman; Saunders (sub Grella 79), Douglas, Diagouraga, McGinn (sub Weston 71); Donaldson, Alexander

Subs: Devlin, Eger

Attendance: 8095

Man of the Match: Leon Legge