DEFENDER John Halls insists Brentford will bounce back strongly from the midweek setback against Chesterfield - and that they are not about to blow their hardearned position at the top of League Two.

It was a classic case of after the Lord Mayor's show following Saturday's thriller against Wycombe.

The Bees looked jaded and struggled to break down a solid Chesterfield side despite having plenty of possession.

The 1-0 defeat was their first home defeat since November 1 and only their second of the season at Griffin Park.

"We're gutted, but it's something we've got to get over," Halls told the Gazette.

"Mistakes were made, but we'll take it on board and get it out of our system. It's a little blip, and every time we've had a bad result this season we've come back strong so we'll focus on the next game and look to put some more points on the board.

"It was a tough game, but I thought we did well first half and looked the better side.

"But in the second half we were a bit sloppy and we lost a lot of second balls, especially from our own corners and throw-ins.

"They broke well many times which we didn't put right and that's something we've got to fix. Their front two were a handful and taught us a few lessons. But it's a long season so you expect a loss now and again, but we'll learn from it."

Andy Scott was also determined to put a positive spin on the result.

"Obviously we're disappointed, but it's not the end of the world," said the Brentford boss. "We've bounced back before and we'll do so again.

"After a pretty even first 15 minutes we dominated the rest of the first half, but once we went behind they put a lot of men behind the ball and made it difficult and then we were chasing the game and became a little bit stretched.

"We've had a real tough spell and the players gave me everything they had, but unfortunately it wasn't enough tonight.

"Maybe a few tired legs and minds led to a few errors but that's to be expected. We'll be stronger for it, recover from it and kick on from here."

Chesterfield started brightest and Drew Talbot curled a shot wide before Martin Gritton went close with a header, but Brentford slowly got into their stride and came close to scoring when Charlie Macdonald's header went straight at keeper Tommy Lee from close range.

Shortly before half time, Jordan Rhodes had two chances in quick succession to put Brentford ahead, first just failing to connect with Macdonald's low cross from the right and then firing over when Sam Wood returned the ball from the opposite flank.

The Bees struggled to get going after the break and the visitors won the game with a very well taken 53rd minute goal by Gritton, who struck the ball first time after being put through by strike partner Jack Lester.

Indeed Gritton and Lester's impressive link-up play always looked threatening for the visitors and after the goal, Chesterfield could have added to their solitary goal with Talbot hitting the post and Jared Wilson forcing a good save from Ben Hamer.

Late efforts from MacDonald - who fired just over following a surging run from Ryan Dickson - and Marcus Bean, whose acrobatic overhead kick was just tipped over by Lee, almost salvaged something for the Bees.

However, despite a flurry of late corners, it was far from a classic Brentford performance and the visitors were worth their win.

Of more worry to Brentford than the defeat might be two more additions to the injury list with key players Sam Wood and Jordan Rhodes both limping off early in the second half and Rhodes later leaving the ground on crutches.

With striker Nathan Elder already out for the season and captain Kevin O'Connor unlikely to be back for the trip to Dagenham on Monday, Scott and the Bees faithful face an anxious period hoping that Wood and Rhodes recover in time for that live TV clash against the Daggers.

Match Details BEES (0) 0 CHESTERFIELD (0) 1 Line-up: Hamer; Halls, Phillips, Bennett, Dickson; Newton (Marvin Williams 70), Bean, Hunt, Wood (Johnson 60); MacDonald, Rhodes (Sam Williams 51). Subs not used: Brown, Osborne. Att: 4,541 GOALS: Gritton (53).

MoM: Martin Gritton