BRENTFORD skipper Adam Newton believes the three loan signings at the heart of the defence have been the key to the team's bid for promotion so far.

But it raises question marks about what will happen once the trio are not operating in tandem.

James Wilson, an outstanding figure at the heart of the defence looks set to return to Bristol City after the home game against Rochdale on November 1.

Ben Hamer could be recalled by Reading in January and Alan Bennett could be tempted away if a club offers better wages at the turn of the year.

Andy Scott has already had to suffer the disappointment of losing defender Josh Wright - recalled by Charlton last week - and more could lie ahead.

"We feel we are very strong at the back and Ben, Alan and James in particular have provided a solid spine and a great foundation for the rest of the team to work around," Newton told the Gazette.

"I genuinely feel that if we keep them fit, we have a great chance to build on the good start we have already made and push for promotion.

"I think as a team we have set ourselves very high standards and personally I think we should always be looking to stay within touching distance of the top three at least.

"If those three keep playing the way they are, we will have a good chance, but at the same time, we know we are not certain to keep them."

As it turns out, the defence was not especially tested in Tuesday night's comfortable home win over Morecambe, and Bennett missed the match to protect an ankle injury ahead of this weekend's more demanding fixture against Shrewsbury.

Although the Bees conceded an early goal before running out 3-1 winners, they have only let in six in 12 games and only Wycombe can boast a comparable record in the entire league.

Bizarrely, the Bees remain the lowest scorers in the top half of their division along with Wycombe, even after netting three against the Shrimps, but with a defence as strong as theirs, that does not matter.

And as long as they remain unbeaten at Griffin Park, confidence will remain high.

"We are definitely looking to make this place a fortress," Newton said.

"We want to play attacking football and come at the opposition. We want to upset teams who come here and pick up valuable points. I think we all know how valuable that is to a promotion push.

"Every now and again we will let in goals both at home and away but I think this side has shown great character to never let that put us off our own game."

And there was no better way to put that point across than against Morecambe, where they trailed early on.

The match got off to a frantic start and despite a third minute volley from Charlie MacDonald being ruled out for offside it was the visitors who took a surprise lead just a minute later.

A deep cross found the industrious Rene Howe who was able to nod the ball back across the box for Stuart Drummond to poke home from no more than four yards out.

Andy Scott's team responded instantly however, and just seven minutes after the Shrimps' opener, Brentford had taken a 2-1 lead.

On eight minutes Glenn Poole found himself in acres of space down the left wing before drilling a cross to the near post where MacDonald was on hand to convert.

Three minutes later and the pair were linking up again, this time MacDonald receiving the ball in the box with his back to goal before cutting it across the six yard box for Poole to clinch his sixth goal of the season.

With 10 minutes left of the half, MacDonald drifted to the left hand channel where he too found time and space before delivering an inch-perfect cross to strike partner Nathan Elder, who headed in the third to put Brentford in the driving seat.

The three goalscorers had a hatful of gilt-edged chances to end the contest before the second half - none more so than Poole, who failed to convert from the penalty spot on 39 minutes when Elder was adjudged to have been pulled back in the box.

Poole's timid spot kick was comfortably held by visiting keeper Barry Roache.

The Bees continued to carve out a number of chances in the second half but were unable to turn pressure into goals.

The win however saw them move up to second in the table. Match Summary BEES (3) 3 MORECAMBE (1) 1 Line-up: Hamer; Newton, Phillips, Wilson, Wood; Williams (O'Connor 84), Halls, Bean, Poole; Elder, MacDonald. Subs not used: Brown, Ademola, Ochoa. Attendance: 3,733 GOALS: Drummond (5), MacDonald (8), Poole (11), Elder (36).

MoM: Charlie MacDonald Entertainment:

Next Up

SHREWSBURY TN

Griffin Park Saturday 3pm League Two

Manager: Paul Simpson Position last season: 18th Form Guide: Now in their fifth season back in the league after a year in the Conference, the Shrews have started the season well and are top scorers in the division with 25. They have five home wins out of six after beating Bournemouth 4-1 on Saturday but lost 2-1 at Accrington in midweek and have won only once on the road. The Shrews have scored seven on two occasions this season. Players to look out for: Grant Holt,a £170,000 capture from Nottingham Forest has nine goals already this season, including five in one game. Holt, 27, tormented Wycombe in a 7-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy rout.

Most recent meetings: Brentford 1-1 Shrewsbury Tn (9 Feb 2008); Shrewsbury Tn 0-1 Brentford (5 Jan 2008) - Lg2.

Head-to-head record: BEES Wins: 16 ST Wins: 15 Draws: 13

Match Facts: The last four matches between the teams at Griffin Park have ended in draws and the time before that, in November 1995, the Shrews won 2-0. You have to go back 14 years to find the last Bees home win (1-0).

Forecast: The Shrews are proving harder to beat this season and with their goals-for column so healthy, they may just force a draw.

In Midweek

CHESTER CITY

Saunders Honda Stadium Tuesday 7.45pm League Two

Manager: Simon Davies Position last season: 22nd Form Guide: Chester have let in 27 goals in 12 games.After crashing 6-0 at Dagenham on the opening day and losing their opening four games of the season, City recovered to go on a seven match unbeaten run. But a 2-1 home defeat by Port Vale on Saturday made it three defeats and only one win in six home games and they let in six again in a midweek drubbing at Rochdale.

Players to look out for: Top scorer for City is midfielder Kevin Ellison, who bagged a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Grimsby last month. [25a0] Most recent meetings: Brentford 3-0 Chester C (29 Dec 2007); Chester C 0-2 Brentford (22 Sep 2007) - Lg2.

Head-to-head record: CC Wins: 8 BEES Wins: 21 Draws: 15

Match Facts: The Bees seem to enjoy facing the Blues, having won the last four meetings and going unbeaten in the last nine. The Bees are also unbeaten in their last six away games against Chester, having won the last three. You have to go back 20 years to find the last defeat for the Bees at Chester (2-3). [25a0] Forecast: Bees to claim their third away win of the season.

Gazetteforecast success rate: 11 correct out of 15 (73%)