Brentford's aversion to teams the north-west may have been suspended on Saturday, but it has clearly not gone away.
A 2-0 defeat at Morecambe on Tuesday night was only the fifth reverse of the season for Andy Scott's men - and every one so far has been against a team from that region.
Scott had called for a big effort this week after lame performances at Chester City and Macclesfield earlier in the campaign, but once again found his side coming off second best. The other defeats so far have come at Bury (on the opening day of the season) and at home to Rochdale.
It does not bode too well for another trip to their least favourite area next week in a re-arranged clash with Accrington Stanley.
The hosts took the lead midway through the first half when Mark Phillips failed to clear a long ball and Michael Twiss was on hand to pounce for the home side, who worked hard throughout to close the Bees down. A late goal from top scorer Rene Howe completed a disappointing night for the Bees in front of a meagre crowd of 1,253.
It means the Bees (49 points from 28 games) remain four points adrift of leaders Wycombe (53 from 28) and ahead of Bury (49 from 29) on goal difference.
It is looking tight behind the top three. Rochdale's 2-0 win at Chester leaves them a point behind (48 from 28), followed by Darlington (47 from 27), Shrewsbury (46 from 29) and Gillingham (46 from 28).
