FOOTBALL: Ref hands it to the Bees

KEVIN O'CONNOR'S controversial second-half penalty decided the destination of the points in this hard-fought affair.

The goal came on the hour when the Dons' Leon Crooks was adjudged to have handled in his own area - although O'Connor was ordered to take the spot-kick twice before clinching the points.

Dons boss Danny Wilson was angered by referee Gary Lewis's decision against Crooks, saying: "He made no movement towards the ball and he was extremely upset."

The game was close from start to finish, and Wilson added: "I can't knock the players for a performance like that.

"We've got a lot of injuries but the lads who came in did brilliantly.

"All we need is a goal and the rub of the green - and no more harsh penalties."

The Dons had the first chance of the match in the third minute when Craig Morgan's blocked free-kick was picked up by Aaron Wilbraham and hammered against the woodwork.

Brentford's Marcus Gayle had the home team's first real chance, but he saw his shot saved by keeper Matthew Baker.

The second-half began in a flurry of corners and free-kicks as things began to get testy before the penalty came.

O'Connor then held his nerve after Lewis ordered the defender to retake his first successful kick. He made no mistake the second time.

The game then faded out, with the Dons left to rue the disputed penalty.

Brentford boss Martin Allen, however, felt his team got their reward for an improved second-half showing. "I didn't scream or shout at half-time and it wasn't a case of talking tactics," he said.

"I just told them to run a bit faster, jump a bit higher and to be more competitive."

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