Andre Gray's brace has helped to lift Brentford to a well-earned 3-2 away victory against Millwall in the Championship this afternoon, in a game which saw three goals scored in a matter of three second-half minutes.
The hosts had to endure a frustrating start at The Den with returning captain Alan Dunne booked for a poor challenge in the early minutes, before Lee Martin whistled a wild attempt from distance high and wide of the Brentford goal.
The visitors looked to respond and they wasted a standout opportunity as Alex Pritchard somehow headed wide from the centre of the box, after he was picked out by Jake Bidwell's enterprising cross.
After a cagey opening gambit, Brentford's Jota looked to use his pace on the counter, but he shot wide, while Gray also had a good chance to open the scoring as he dragged wide of the post.
In a half devoid of clear-cut chances, it was Brentford who made the most of the limited quality on offer, as Gray raced through to collect Alex Pritchard's through-ball and fire home past David Forde to leave his side 1-0 up at the break.
Millwall's Shaun Williams began to probe early in the second period and his neat play provided Lee Gregory with time to shoot, but he failed to test the keeper with an attempt that flew over the bar.
Any progress made by the hosts was seemingly nullified by Gray, with the striker making use of Alan Judge's through-ball to tuck into the net and collect his second of the afternoon.
A crazy few minutes then ensued as the Lions clawed a goal back through Danny Shittu after he climbed highest to thunder a header into the bottom corner following Lee Martin's whipped delivery.
The hosts were not done yet as captain Dunne took control of the ball from distance, before letting fly with a world-class shot that proved far too good for keeper David Button to bring the scores level at 2-2.
Despite Shittu's influence on the hosts' developing comeback, the defender had his head in his hands in the 66th minute, as he reversed his side's hard work by deflecting the ball into his own net to gift Brentford the lead again.
Millwall might have snatched a late equaliser going into the final 10 minutes, but Dunne was unable to collect his second goal of the game having headed wide of the post as he made contact with Martin's cross.
Christopher Dodd
