Cheltenham Town have been knocked out of the Carling Cup despite a spirited fightback during the second half which saw a first goal for loanee Shaun Jeffers.
Brentford were the dominant side in the first half and deserved the opening goal when Robbie Simpson struck in the 31st minute. The Robins found themselves 2-0 down when a Woodman freekick deceived everyone to hit the back of the net.
Cheltenham were a much better team in the second half and Shaun Jeffers gave them hope when he took advantage of a Simon Moore spill from an Artus freekick. Cheltenham came close to forcing an equaliser but they eventually ran out of time and out of the cup.
The Robins made one change to the side that lined up against Gillingham at the weekend with Wesley Thomas rested after picking up a slight knock in the 1-1 draw. Coventry loanee Shaun Jeffers replaced Thomas with Jake Lee promoted to the bench.
5: Brentford were the first to start a real attack this evening. Brentford's summer signing Gary Alexander strode down the left wing as Cheltenham appealed for an offside and drove a low cross in towards Marcus Bean. The central midfielder couldn't quite get the ball from under his feet and Andrew was quick to clear the danger.
7: Very close to 1-0 for Brentford there. Nicky Forster caught hold of a lovely cross from Woodman and the shot took Brown by surprise but he made just enough contact to steer the shot wide.
8: Scott Brown just tipped a 20 yard Marcus Bean strike over the crossbar. Great awareness from Brown because I don't think anyone was expecting that shot.
9: Jeff Goulding opened the shots on target account for Cheltenham with an attempted chip over Simon Moore but the Brentford keeper managed to keep it out of his goal at the last second.
11: Frankie Artus thundered a strike at goal from 35 yards and Moore spilled his save but the Bee's keeper was quick to pounce on the loose ball.
12: Brentford have hit the crossbar from a corner. It was Karleigh Osborne's strong header that rattled the bar but they couldn't make the rebound count as Elliott leapt high to clear the ball out wide.
14: Quick snap shot from the edge of the area by Josh Low but the effort flew wide of the post after taking a slight deflection.
19: Brentford are looking dangerous down the left wing. Sam Wood just drove another low cross into the middle of Cheltenham's area but the Robins defence were quick to clear the threat.
24: Decent enough attack from Cheltenham. A long ball from Keith Lowe meant for Smikle was headed clear by Legge. Goulding took possession and went for goal but the effort dribbled wide of the post.
28: Difficult attempt on goal for Gary Alexander but he turned well in the area to strike the ball just past Brown's near post. Brentford came close again with a close range strike at goal but Danny Andrew dived in to make the important block.
29: Crossbar again for Brentford and this time it was Balkestein who smashed a header against the woodwork. It came dangerously close to coming down beyong the line but the Robins cleared their lines quickly to deny Brentford.
31 GOAL: It has been coming and it's Robbie Simpson that has put Brentford 1-0 up. Craig Woodman whipped in a pin point cross from the left and Simpson strode into the area to header the ball past Brown.
34: Cheltenham pushed forward looking for an immediate reply to Brentford's opener. Josh Low found Danny Andrew loose on the left and the young defender thrashed a ball in at goal only for it to be deflected and sent over the bar.
35 GOAL: Brentford go 2-0 up from a Craig Woodman freekick. The set piece was only meant to be a cross into the area but it skidded straight through the mass of bodies and straight past Brown into the back of the net.
41: Brentford came close again through Gary Alexander but he just overstretched and Keith Lowe was able to ease the ball away from danger.
41: Marcus Bean isn't afraid to have a shot. He has just thumped a 20 yarder in at Brown's goal but saw his effort fly just over the bar.
Half Time: Brentford 2-0 Robins
47: Nicky Forster sends a clipped shot over Brown's goal following some good attacking play from the League One team.
57: Cheltenham are finding it very hard to play their passing game against a rapid and sharp Brentford side. No way through for the Robins yet.
59: Low drive in at goal from Gary Alexander but Brown is equal to it as he saves low at his near post.
61 GOAL: Frankie Artus thundered a low freekick in at goal from 30 yards and it stung the hands of Moore causing him to spill the ball and into the path of the oncoming Shaun Jeffers. The Coventry loanee made no mistake in smashing the loose ball into the back of the Brentford net and Cheltenham are back in the game.
62: The Robins have gone up a gear and Smikle came close to putting them level following some neat attacking play. He caught hold of the long ball from Artus but the effort went wide of the post.
64 SUBSTITUTION: Charlie Macdonald made his way onto the pitch to replace Nicky Forster.
69: Cheltenham firmly on top now and can smell blood. The Brentford defence are looking a little shaky when Cheltenham are coming forward with pace.
71: Extravagant effort from Simpson but the 20 yard strike went high and wide.
72: Nice to see Jeffers attacking the Brentford defence with pace now. He had a good shot parried away by the palms of Moore but much better from the young striker
73 SUBSTITUTION: Josh Low was replaced by JJ Melligan.
75 SUBSTITUTION: Robin Shroot comes on to make his debut. Jeff Goulding is the man to be replaced.
77: Quick counter attack from Brentford following a Cheltenham attack. Macdonald laid a lovely ball through to Simpson who ran straight into the Cheltenham area and fired in a hard shot only for Brown to make an excellent save and deny Brentford a third.
78: Robin Shroot linked up well with Jeffers to give the Coventry striker a chance at goal but Moore did just enough to bat away the effort.
80: A decent strike at goal from Sam Wood forced Brown to make a desperate save down low to his right but the Cheltenham number one saved well and collected the loose ball.
82: Shaun Jeffers looked as if he was tripped either on the outside of the area or just in but the referee made no decision and play continued.
83: A deep Brentford cross caused all kinds of problems in the Cheltenham area. Elliott misjudged the flight of the ball and headered it towards his own goal but Brown made an outstanding save to deny the own goal and keep Cheltenham in this tie.
90: Time is rapidly running out but Cheltenham are still attacking. Brentford are doing well to dilute the Cheltenham pressure.
Full Time: Brentford 2-1 Robins
Brentford FC (4-4-2): Moore (GK); Osborne, Legge, Balkestein, Woodman; Simpson, O'Connor, Bean, Wood; Forster (Macdonald 64), Alexander
Substitutes: Lee (GK), McCracken, Saunders, Spillane, Hunt, Blake
Cheltenham Town FC (4-4-2 Diamond): Brown (GK); Lowe, Elliott, Riley, Andrew; Pook (C), Low (Melligan 73), Artus, Smikle; Goulding (Shroot 75), Jeffers
Substitutes: Lloyd-Weston (GK), Gallinagh, Bird, Watkins, Lee
Referee: P. Miller
Attendance: 2,049 (146 from Cheltenham)
Robins Star Man: Shaun Jeffers - He scored his first goal for the club and he looked a real threat in the second half. Unlucky not to get a second goal amongst a spirited fightback.
James Brown from Griffin Park
