Brentford suffered a first defeat in four games at Hull City, letting a 1-0 slip to lose 3-2 at the KCOM Stadium.

There was no sign of a honeymoon period in the first 50 minutes of Nigel Adkins’ Tigers reign.

The Bees went in front just after the interval, David Meyler putting through his own net after Ollie Watkins' testing ball. But Kamil Grosicki's drive turned the tide, before Seb Larsson curled in an equally impressive free-kick from 25 yards.

Dean Smith's side went 3-1 down through Jackson Irvine but hung on in there, John Egan's header offering a flicker of late hope.

Adkins' men managed to hold on, giving him victory in his first game in charge and puncturing the positivity of last week's Fulham triumph.

Kicking the habit

Brentford lost a lead - again.

David Meyler’s own goal put them in front just after half-time, before Hull scored three unanswered goals to condemn them to defeat in East Yorkshire.

This tendency, that has seen them lose 21 points from winning positions this term, is threatening to become a real monkey on their backs. Dean Smith hit out at Brentford’s game management, suggesting his side started chasing the game too early.

Dean Smith

They’re a stronger team - technically and mentally- than that unwelcome stat suggests, so Smith has to find a way of coaching some nous into the squad and shaking off their ‘choker’ tag.

Bentley with a Rolls-Royce display

One positive from the trip to Humberside came in the excellent goalkeeping of Dan Bentley.

The stopper is well out the other end of a patchy run of form, most sharply seen in games against Leeds and Sunderland.

Just before half-time Bentley made two good stops, denying Fraizer Campbell and then Michael Dawson from a corner.

These were feats of concentration as much as athleticism, as he had nothing to do for 40 minutes in the freezing cold. The home side would have been out of sight were it not for his saves from Campbell and Nouha Dicko in injury time, the 24 year-old showing resilience to haul himself back into form.

Smith not moping about Maupay

Scoring the second: Neal Maupay scores Brentford's second goal against Bristol City

When it was put to Dean Smith at his post-match press conference that Neal Maupay looked isolated up front, he didn’t appear too concerned.

The Bees boss did seem pleased to confirm that Lasse Vibe would be fit for the Barnsley game next week and professed himself excited by Emiliano Marcondes’ impending arrival.

Maupay battled away at the KCOM, drawing countless first-half fouls and setting Ollie Watkins free to create the opener.

The Frenchman did snatch at his only chance, however. it’ll be intriguing to see what Smith decides to do with Vibe for the visit of the Tykes.

Stuck in the middle

The composition of Brentford’s midfield is vital to the balance of the side.

It’s the engine room that lets the likes of Watkins, Canos and Sawyers go and play their natural game. With the return of Lewis MacLeod last week, the Bees have a variety of options in the centre and could choose to use them over Christmas as teams recognise their strengths.

They opted to revert to the 4-2-3-1 formation used in 17 of their 21 games this season, with longest-serving player Nico Yennaris settling for a place on the bench.

Hull chose to pack the midfield, Jackson Irvine dropping into a flatter three that made it tougher for Ryan Woods to get on the ball and Romaine Sawyers to float into space.

With teams taking a liking to parking the bus at Griffin Park, Smith has guileful options in reserve - with MacLeod and McEachran on the bench - to unpick such locks.

Bees still buzzing

Chatting to travelling fans on their way home, none of them were too down at the result.

Most were still delighted by the football played in the 3-1 win over rivals Fulham last week. You sense they’ll dine out on that for a few weeks to come.

Perhaps trends and stats, like Brentford’s lead-losing habit, are just the preserve of journalists and pundits and don't lose the fans any sleep.

Either way, mood in the camp is buoyant ahead of the packed festive schedule.