A first-half goal from Marcello Trotta was enough for Brentford to seal all three points against Leyton Orient in League One this afternoon.
Clayton Donaldson had a couple of first-half chances for Brentford, but fired his first well wide, before forcing a save from Eldin Jakupovic.
Dave Mooney had the best of the early opportunities for Orient, but missed the target with both of his efforts.
However, the visitors were able to edge ahead just before half time when Trotta collected the ball from a Jonathan Douglas backheel before turning it into the bottom corner.
The hosts' hopes of a second-half equaliser were boosted shortly after the restart when James Tarkowski was sent off for his second booking of the game following a late challenge on Romain Vincelot.
Vincelot shook off the challenge and tried to set Kevin Lisbie up for the equaliser, but his shot while facing away from goal went high.
The visitors appealed for a penalty later in the half after Nathan Clarke appeared to bring down George Saville, but the referee dismissed the Bees' shouts.
Donaldson had a chance to put the result beyond doubt for Brentford as he flicked the ball towards goal, but it deflected off Douglas before Jakupovic tipped it over.
The hosts gave everything as they tried to force a goal inside the last 10 minutes, but some solid defending from Brentford protected their lead.
Alan Judge almost added a second Brentford goal in stoppage time as he blasted the ball towards goal, beating the keeper, but it bounced back off the post.
The result moves Brentford above Orient into the automatic promotion places.
Sian Cowper
