BRENTFORD brought an end to their recent run of frustrating results with a devastating first-half performance which consigned visiting Carlisle United to just their second defeat in 11 outings.

And it could have been worse had the Bees capitalised more than once on their dominant second-half display.

Manager Greg Abbott said: “We spoke about needing to start properly and work hard, and the need to make sure that we picked up their men when they had the ball.

“We didn’t do it and the goals we conceded were very soft from our point of view.

“We’ve given them their goals and left ourselves with a real job to do, and we come away feeling very disappointed that we haven’t played anywhere near the way we can.

“It’s something we will have to put right, and quickly. We know we are missing one of our big players [Lee Miller] but we need to be better, and the players know that we expect more.”

Brentford started well and an early break from Gary Alexander took him into space on the left.

His cross headed for Marcus Bean until Ben Parker stepped in to make the clearance.

The Bees should have taken the lead when Legge was left in acres of space when Logan hooked a deep free-kick into the box.

With just Collin to beat he took his eye off the ball and headed it high over the bar.

The Cumbrians found some effective possession on ten minutes when Francois Zoko wriggled his way through two challenges to win a corner. Richard Lee spilled it as he came off his line, but Peter Murphy was unable to capitalise as he saw it late.

The home side then started to take control and they edged in front when Harlee Dean stood his ground on the edge of the box for a free-kick delivery.

Adam Collin raced off his line to meet it but the big defender picked his moment before guiding his header into the gaping net.

The lead was doubled within five minutes when Leon Legge used his pace and strength to glide into the Carlisle area.

Sam Saunders ignored the chorus of appeals for a penalty that accompanied a strong challenge from Murphy and he drilled a low shot underneath Collin to send the home fans wild.

And the game was all-but over when substitute Saido Berahino pulled off his man at the far post.

A raking cross from Shaleum Logan was difficult to control, but the 18-year-old took it on his chest and left the keeper with no chance as he crunched it into the back of the net.

Striker Paddy Madden was denied his first goal for Carlisle just after the break when he took a touch after good work from Ansy Welsh and Zoko.

He turned into his man and sent a low shot through Dean’s legs, but substitute stopper Simon Moore reacted well to push it away.

However, the night got worse for the Cumbrians when Berahino scored the goal of the night from yet another break from deep.

The livewire wideman carried the ball forward and curled it beautifully across Collin and into the top corner.

Brentford continued to look like scoring almost every time they went forward but they were wasteful in front of goal as they sent shot after shot right at the Carlisle keeper.

And it was with relief that Abbott’s men greeted the final whistle to bring the curtain down on a very bad night at the office.

BRENTFORD: Lee (Moore 46), Logan (Thompson 77), Legge, Dean, Bidwell, Bean, Diagouraga, Douglas, Saunders, Donaldson, Alexander (Berahino 29). Subs (not used): Weston, McGinn.

Goals: Dean 28, Saunders 32, Berahino 41, 53.

CARLISLE: Collin, Simek, Murphy, Michalik (Livesey 56), Parker, Thirlwell (Welsh 46), McGovern, Noble, Madden, Berrett, Zoko. Subs (not used): Gillespie, Taiwo, Cook.

Booked: Murphy.

Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire) Att: 4,292