The game starts with a tough physical battle in midfield, as anticipated by Brian Tinnion. A cross by O'Connor is scrambled away by City. A Doherty cross is caught by Nelson. Lita latches onto a ball into the box but doesn't get enough on it to score.
Huddersfield have an early lead at home to Doncaster.
Bradley Orr fouls his man and it leads to a mass brawl, instigated by Marcus Gayle punching both Orr and Doherty. The referee consults both assistants and takes no further action. Bradley Orr has to change his shirt and there are now two Tommy Doherty's on the pitch!
Dave Cotterill wins a free kick as the battle of Griffin Park continues. Tommy Doherty has lost his head and flies into two successive two footed challenges but escapes a booking. Phillips fails to deal with the free kick and Sam Sodje scores.
1-0 (Sam Sodje 12)
Steve Phillips saves well from Fitzgerald. Brentford force three corners in succession but City eventually clear.
Doncaster have equalised at Huddersfield.
Lita shoots over in a crowded penalty area. Brooker shoots wide as City try and bustle there way back into the game. Phillips saves well from Deon Burton as Smith and Coles both fail to clear. Scott Brown shoots just over from distance. A Jay Tabb shot is deflected wide.
Oldham lead against Sheffield Wedneday.
The referee books Sam Sodje and Danny Coles for an innocuous tussle after what he has already let go unpunished. City enjoy a rare spell of pressure but cannot produce an equaliser. A good run by Dave Cotterill, but a disappointing cross with Lita and Brooker waiting. City seem to be playing a 4-3-3 system with Cotterill supporting the two regular front men.
Hartlepool are a goal down at Colchester. Walsall lead at Swindon. Huddersfield retake the lead against Doncaster.
Tommy Doherty stays down injured as we enter first half injury time in a physical battle which at the moment City are second best in.
HT 1-0
Deon Burton shoots out of the ground as Brentford get the better of early second half exchanges.
Lee Matthews has scored for Port Vale. Hartlepool have equalised at Colchester. Wednesday have qualised at Oldham.
Another run by Cotterill (the only player for City it seems) leads to a free kick. A scramble in the six yard box but Brentford win a free kick. Marcus Gayle goes close but City clear. Dave Cotterill is injured but Brentford play on and Steve Phillips is clattered. Joe Ross appears clueless as a referee.
Huddersfield now 3-1 up against Doncaster.
Scott Murray comes on for Scott Brown. Jay Tabb shoots wide when he should have scored. Marcus Gayle is playing at centre back this half and fouls Leroy Lita, a tame free kick goes straight to Nelson. Brooker has a shot wide turning inside the penalty box. Lita wins another free kick to the side of the penalty area.
Paul Heffernan comes on for Dave Cotterill. He is fouled and from the freekick Golbourne finds Clayton Fortune but his effort is cleared and Brentford go close on the counter. Lita finds Brooker whose shot is saved then Heffernan follows op but his shot is blocked for a corner which comes to nothing. Cole Skuse comes on for Tommy Doherty who is booed off by the Bees.
Burton heads wide when well placed. City force a corner with 12 minutes left. Steve Brooker shoots into the ground and over from six yards. Fitzgerald shoots wide for Brentford. Isiah Rankin comes on for Deon Burton. Clayton Fortune tackles well as Jay Tabb threatens.
Swindon have equalised at home to Walsall. Luton lead at Bournemouth having played most of the game with ten men.
Bradley Orr has a shot deflected to safety. Heffernan wins a free kick but Coles fouls in the area and the chance is wasted.
Walsall have retaken the lead at Swindon.
Four minutes of added time are announced. Martin Allen is sent off for shouting at the fourth official.
A bruising encounter that City fail to deal with and deservedly lose.
FT 1-0
Attendance 6,780 (1,237 from Bristol)
Teams
Brentford
S Nelson, K O'Connor, M Turner, S Sodje, A Frampton, J Tabb, S Talbot, D Pratley, M Gayle, D Burton, S Fitzgerald
Subs: A Bankole, A Myers, I Rankin, M Harrold, R Peters
Bristol City
S Phillips, J Smith, D Coles, C Fortune, S Golbourne, D Cotterill, T Doherty, B Orr, S Brown, L Lita, S Brooker
Subs: M Bell, S Murray, P Heffernan, J Keith, C Skuse
Ref: J Ross
Nelson, K O'Connor, M Turner, S Sodje, A Frampton, J Tabb, S Talbot, D Pratley, M Gayle, D Burton, S Fitzgerald
Subs: A Bankole, A Myers, I Rankin, M Harrold, R Peters
Bristol City
S Phillips, J Smith, D Coles, C Fortune, S Golbourne, D Cotterill, T Doherty, B Orr, S Brown, L Lita, S Brooker
Subs: M Bell, S Murray, P Heffernan, J Keith, C Skuse
Ref: J Ross
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