SAM Saunders was once more Brentford's match-winner as the Bees took a hard-earned 2-1 win away from Rochdale this afternoon.

Following some early pressure from the hosts, in which Richard Lee was called into action more than once, Gary Alexander gave the Bees an 11th-minute lead from the penalty spot after Clayton Donaldson was felled in the box.

Rochdale kept pressing, with ex-Bee Nicky Adams pulling the strings and almost grabbing a goal against his former side, but Brentford went close again just before the half hour mark, Saunders being denied a shooting chance by a good challenge after being set free by Craig Woodman.

However, the hosts were level on 65 minutes when some poor defending by the Bees let in Marcus Holness for Rochdale's equaliser.

But Brentford, having withstood some good pressure, with Leon Legge at the heart of the defensive effort, took the lead again with 12 minutes left, Saunders applying the finish for what proved to be the winner following fine work by Alexander and sub Mike Grella. 

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