Gary Ablett's preparations for the game at Griffin Park were dealt a sever blow with the omission of Carl Baker.

The 10-goal marksman took a kick on his calf at Manor Farm on Thursday afternoon and didn't make the team bus to West London; Paul Turnball came in to replace him.

Gianluca Havern was another player who stayed at home, to recover from a shoulder injury.

And, to add to the Gaffer's problems, Peter Thompson had to travel separately from the team after contracting flu-like symptoms.

On the positive side, Nick Bignall returned to lead the attack after recovering from his hamstring strain; Thompson made way.

Ablett made one enforced change, though, with Danny Pilkington replacing James Vincent.

There was also a place on the bench for youth team defender Sam Barnes.

County pressed the self-destruct button again to gift-wrap both Brentford goals.

The opener came right at the end of the first half when Paul Huntington failed to clear Cleveland Taylor's low cross at the near post. The ball seemed to get caught beneath his feet leaving Charlie MacDonald with the easiest of tap-ins.

Then a quick throw on 69 minutes caught the defence napping allowing Myles Weston the freedom of Griffin Park to side-foot past the exposed Owain Fon Williams.

The second goal, though, was against the run of play as County were much more of a threat after the break.

Bignall saw two shots blocked seven minutes in. Then they almost scored from their first corner two minutes later. Michael Rose's flag-kick was desperately cleared at the far post after the goalkeeper had lost the flight of the ball.

Turnbull then forced a brilliant save from Lewis Price who tipped his 20-yard volley over the bar.

David Poole also came close with a deflected shot that clipped the far post.

After the goal Oli Johnson was unlucky when he curled a shot just wide after stepping inside James Wilson.

But at the other end Fon Williams had to be at his best to turn Taylor's low shot around the post. And he also kept out two Carl Cort headers.

The Hatters threw Michael Raynes forward as they searched for a consolation and Bignall came close in added time when he turned on Johnson's pass but pulled his shot wide of the far post.