Greville Waterman reports on an excellent team performance and three encouraging points.

The last seven days started inauspiciously with the abject defeat at Wycombe - but all's well that ends well. Brentford put in arguably their best performance of the season to defeat Play Off contenders Colchester 1-0 and earn their second clean sheet in three days after Saturday's Cup win over Walsall.

Today the Bees showed a real sense of purpose and came out of the blocks well, forcing Colchester back. In the 13th minute MacDonald met Bostock's exquisite cross with a diving header to put the Bees deservedly ahead.

Confidence coursed through their red and white veins with slick one touch football stretching the vistors - but the chances didn't fall cleanly and Colchester slowly fought back into the game.

Aidy Boothroyd's team looked and played like Watford circa 1979 with two giants up front, two wide men and full backs keen to bomb forward at every opportunity.

Brentford responded well and defended properly with Legge and Balkestein exceptional - and Szczesny made four decent saves including a cracker at the feet of Lisbie.

The second half saw Brentford forced back and the midfield with Bean out of sorts was over run but they held firm, kept a good line and ran the clock down well with calm and controlled football deep in the Colchester half.

This was an important and deserved victory and gives Brentford a springboard to build on. 11 heroes, a fine team performance and one that filled your correspondent with hope that the season is about to turn around in our favour.