Brentford 2-0 Tranmere Rovers

James Tarkowski scored his first goal for the club to help promotion-chasing Brentford overcome relegation-threatened Tranmere Rovers.

Rovers keeper Owain Fon Williams denied Will Grigg early, with Alan Judge's follow up then cleared off the line.

In response, Stephen Arthurworrey and Ryan Lowe hit the bar for the visitors.

Tarkowski headed against the post before nodding the Bees ahead after the break with Clayton Donaldson also hitting the post before making it 2-0.

Former Crewe, Hibernian and York striker Donaldson met a Judge cross to head home his 16th goal of the season, and was soon after denied a second by Fon Williams.

Brentford remain third in the table, just one point behind second-placed Leyton Orient - who they face on Saturday.

Rovers drop back into the relegation places, behind Stevenage on goal difference.

Brentford manager Mark Warburton told BBC London 94.9:

"I thought for the first 35 minutes we came out of the blocks quickly and could have put the game to bed.

"They hit the bar twice and we gave them chances.

"In the second half we had good energy, desire and tempo and we moved the ball well and wore them down. Once we got the first goal we looked very dangerous.

"For us our focus is now totally on Leyton Orient. We want to go there and show what we can do."

Tranmere Rovers assistant manager John McMahon tells BBC Radio Merseyside:

"I thought we competed and we got in their faces.

"But I thought they were the better side, they have the better players.

"You come to a place like this, you expect them to have more of the ball - but we were disappointed in the end."