Brentford 1–2 Watford

Ten-man Brentford lost from a winning position for the first time this season on a night of high tension at Griffin Park.

The tension had already reached fever pitch before the game kicked off following speculation over manager Mark Warburton's future in the national press.

For all that, the game started quietly, with Brentford on top at first as Watford keeper Huerelho Gomes gathering a dangerous cross from Jake Bidwell just ahead of Andre Gray, then saving at the feet of the same striker after he latched onto Alex Pritchard's through ball.

Not this time: But Andre Gray did later get the better of Heurelho Gomes

But as the visitors started to get on top, David Button got down well to push a long-range pile-driver from Ben Watson which took a deflection off Bidwell around the post, before a superb last ditch challenge by James Tarkowski on Troy Deeney prevented a three-on-two situation after Stuart Dallas lost possession in the middle of the park.

But the flashpoint came just before the break when Bidwell was shown a straight red for an unnecessary lunge on Miguel Layun after the Brentford man had lost possession.

Dallas dropped to left back for the Bees, who were dealt a further defensive blow early in the second half when Tarkowski went off injured, to be replaced by Tony Craig.

Striding forward: Toumani Diagouraga against his former club

At the other end, Gray fired one effort just wide, but made no mistake with his next as he latched onto a long clearance from Button, beat the Watford defence for pace and power and beat Gomes from a tight angle.

The whole team to a man showed their feelings for their gaffer by running to the touchline and piling on top of him in celebration.

Those celebrations were cut short soon after when Jonathan Douglas used his shoulder to block a cross and was penalised for handball, but Griffin Park erupted once more when Button dived to his left to keep out Deeney's penalty.

See ya: Alex Pritchard takes on Troy Deeney

Button then saved well from Ikechi Anya, but could little when his makeshift back four left him exposed following a cross from the right, and Odion Ighalo levelled matters with a free header.

The Bees keeper denied Deeney soon after, saving with his feet from point blank range, then made a flying save to keep out a Fernando Forestieri effort.

The Italian striker struck the post as the game went into the last 10 minutes, while at the other end, Gray cut inside and tried to play in Diagouraga when taking it himself on the outside might reaped better rewards.

That man again: Andre Gray takes on the Watford defence

And the Bees were made to pay in injury time when they failed to clear their lines and the ball found its way out to that man Ighalo, who made no mistake with the finish for his second of the night.

It was harsh on the Bees, who can otherwise be proud of their night's work on a difficult day for the club.

BEES : Button, Odubajo, Dean, Tarkowski (Craig 50), Bidwell, Diagouraga, Douglas, Pritchard (Smith 77), Jota (Toral 71), Gray, Dallas. Subs not used: Bonham, Saunders, Yennaris, Long.