Brentford's slim hopes of making the play-offs were dealt a hammer blow as they lost 2-0 to away-day specialists Rochdale at Griffin Park.Former Brentford striker Lee Thorpe returned to haunt his old club with the opening goal after 77 minutes, rising high at the far post to head home Chris Basham's deep cross.

As the Bees pressed for a way back into the game, Dale made the points safe when Adam Rundle ran home the killer goal deep into injury time.

It was harsh on a Brentford side who dominated for long spells but in the end they paid for failing to take their chances.

Striker Nathan Elder twice saw efforts fly over and wasted a golden chance to pull Brentford back into the game when he fired over from close range.

The visitors were always dangerous on the break and Rene Howe rattled the angle with a header from Rundle's cross with just 14 minutes gone.

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