Brentford 3-2 Middlesbrough: Ollie Watkins scores late on to give Bees win
- Published
Ollie Watkins has now scored 20 Championship goals for Brentford so far this season
Brentford striker Ollie Watkins scored a late winner against Middlesbrough to help the Bees keep pace with their Championship promotion rivals.
Julian Jeanvier put the hosts ahead midway through the first half at Griffin Park when he turned in Ethan Pinnock's header across goal.
In a frantic spell in the second half, Lewis Wing levelled from 25 yards before Bryan Mbeumo restored the lead for the Bees.
Boro levelled again three minutes later through Ashley Fletcher's header but Watkins struck from close range to seal the win.
The result initially meant Brentford remained fourth, however, Nottingham Forest's win against Leeds United in Saturday's late Championship fixture meant they slipped a place to fifth.
The Bees' win still keeps them to within two points of second-placed Leeds and third-placed Fulham, however.
Following four straight victories around Christmas, Boro are now without a win in five games and are just seven points above the relegation zone in 18th.
Brentford's opener came courtesy of goalline technology as Middlesbrough scrambled to clear Jeanvier's shot.
That goal came soon after the hosts were denied an opener of their own when Josh Dasilva nodded the ball goalbound before it bounced across the face of goal prior to Dael Fry's frantic clearance.
Boro were level for a first time just before the hour mark through Wing's fine strike, but just two minutes later Mbeumo's shot took a deflection off Harold Moukoudi and in.
The visitors wasted no time in levelling again when Fletcher nodded in from a corner.
Watkins rescued three points late on for Thomas Frank's side as he found the net for the 20th time in the Championship this season.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank told BBC Radio London:
"Winning in that way, of course, with a late winner is always a top feeling. It was a tough game and Middlesbrough did well.
"After 10 or 15 minutes of the first half we were in total control but in the second half there was too much back and forth.
"What I liked is that we kept going and showed that coolness that we have shown in critical moments of games and we've kept taking opportunities and chances."
Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:
"It was a really good performance. We controlled large parts of the game, they're a top side and we more than matched them. I'm disappointed but the performance was there and the wins will come with performances like that.
"We had more of a go in the second half because we were still in the game. We did really well to get back in the game but they looked dangerous with their front three.
"The performance was very, very good. There are a lot of young players in that changing room and I'm pleased with the lads."