No getting away from just how vital this was, says Brentford boss

Thomas Frank said Tuesday’s early evening victory over Charlton was as important as they come as his side kept alive their hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The Bees were given a stern examination by the relegation-threatened visitors at Griffin Park and made to find a way back after trailing at the interval.

They kept their nerve, kept creating chances and got their reward when Ethan Pinnock’s 85 minute header secured a priceless 2-1 victory. It is a fifth straight win since the restart and the gap to the top two is back to two points.

“This is a massive win,” said the Brentford boss. “I'll not stand here and say this didn't mean anything, it was a big win.

"We know every game is a big win, but I just had a feeling because of all the circumstances, that this game would be very, very difficult.

"They have a very good ability to compete against the best sides because they defend and they are very well fixed and they have a good structure."

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer could take heart from the way his side defended so manfully, even if they came up short in their quest for vital points to beat beat the drop.

“I'm proud of the players tonight,” he said. “There's not many times you'll hear me say that when we lose a game.

"But tonight you're playing against a top, top Brentford side who have been hammering teams left, right and centre, before the lockdown and after the lockdown, they're the in-form team in our division and we've just given them a right scare.

"On another day we might have come away with something, but we've just got to keep showing that fight and I'm sure we'll be OK. "