Brentford boss Dean Smith certainly wasn't happy with his side's first half performance today in what turned out to be a six-goal thriller at Griffin Park.

The Bees found themselves 3-1 down at the break despite taking an early lead through Nick Yennaris.

Smith admitted he had given his players a few stern words in the dressing room, and they kept their unbeaten run going to six with two goals back to earn a point.

For some in Brentford's camp, they didn't want just a draw, they wanted to go on and win.

"It was a case of an angry Mr Smith today after a poor first half," said Smith.

"I didn't think it was a great game and we were very much below our standards.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Lewis Graham of Sunderland (L) scores the first Sunderland goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Sunderland at Griffin Park on October 21, 2017 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

"I said to the players you're not given anything in this league, you have to go and earn it.

"We gave them three goals, but we came out of it with a point which shows character.

"But I am still disappointed with the poor decisions and mistakes we made during the game.

"I know the wind wasn't great to play in, but I thought we gave the referee several times to blow up on which disrupted the game.

"But I think we were just poor in our decisions today. Even though we came back from 3-1 down, it wasn't a vintage performance from us.

"I feel if we were anywhere near on it, we would win that game."

Sunderland had a two-goal cushion at the break when Lewis Grabban scored his second of the game from the penalty spot, after the impressive Duncan Watmore had been brought down.

And Smith had no complaints with the referee this afternoon.

"For me it was the correct decision. I think Ryan should have brought him (Watmore) down on the halfway line, but he ends up bringing him down inside the box," said the boss.

"But credit to the referee because the ref at Bolton got two wrong where he should have given us penalties.

"I thought he refereed the game well as I thought it was a tough game to referee, it was very stop-start."

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Brentford players celebrate the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Sunderland at Griffin Park on October 21, 2017 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

Brentford may have picked up a point and kept their unbeaten run going, but they had some other positives with a few players returning from injury.

And there is certainly competition for places all over again for Smith.

"Just getting Sergi Canos back and having Lasse Vive back, he had a chance today up front and then of course he kept Neal Maupay out," said the manager.

"It's also great to have Kamhelo back, then Josh McEachran, Neal and Sergi - they are all game changers, so that's a positive.

"But we'll dust ourselves down now and get on with it. We will probably end up saying it was a good point to take after being 3-1 down.

"But I was very disappointed we didn't get all three."