Brentford 2-1 Gillingham

Brentford regained top spot with a hard-fought win over Gillingham to extend their unbeaten run to 16 games.

Goals from Jonathan Douglas and Marcello Trotta earned the Bees the points, despite Cody McDonald's late strike.

Brentford boss Mark Warburton made one change from the side that drew at Walsall last time out, with Shaleum Logan replacing Will Grigg, while Harlee Dean and Adam Forshaw failed late fitness tests.

The Bees had the first sight of goal when Alan Judge was denied by Stuart Nelson from point-blank range, while at the other end, Steven Gregory stung the hands of David Button.

Nelson came to the visitors' rescue again when he dived full stretch to tip Judge's curling effort over the top.

However, the home side's pressure paid off midway through the half. Jake Bidwell whipped in a teasing cross from the left, and former Gill Douglas pounced to slam the ball in from close range.

The visitors shold've levelled shortly after the half-hour mark when McDonald shrugged off the challenge of Tony Craig, but he dragged his shot wide of Button's right post.

Captain Kevin O'Connor came close to adding a second when he flashed a header past the post, while Judge saw two efforts blocked in added time.

The Bees started the second half as they ended the first, with Trotta and Judge threatening the Gills goal.

Nelson thwarted Donaldson while clean through, but the hosts eventually doubled their lead on 70 minutes.

Adam Barrett hauled down Craig in the box, and Trotta stepped up to stroke home the spot-kick can banish the memories of his costly miss against Doncaster on the final day of last season.

However, the visitors pulled one back almost instantly when Craig Fagan played in McDonald, who made no mistake this time to slot past Button.

Sub Jack Marriott squandered a great chance to level when he fired straight at Button while clean through, but the Bees held on.

Bees: Button, Logan, O'Connor, Craig, Bidwell, McCormack, Douglas, Saville, Judge, Donaldson, Trotta (Akpom 73).

Subs (not used): Lee, Grigg, Dallas, Diagouraga, Reeves, Adams.