Brentford’s automatic Championship promotion hopes were dealt a further blow with a lacklustre 2-0 defeat to Coventry City at St. Andrew’s.
The hosts punished Brentford’s slow start after 19 minutes as Max Biamou drew contact from Rico Henry in the box to be awarded a penalty.
And although David Raya felt he should have saved it, Tyler Walker’s spot-kick snuck in to give the Sky Blues the lead.
Callum O’Hare nearly doubled Coventry’s advantage with a powerful volleyed effort, but an incredible reflex save from Raya kept the Bees in the game at the interval.
However, the second-half wasn’t much better for Brentford as Coventry added a second on 54 minutes when Walker made Raya give the ball away from a free-kick to double Coventry’s advantage.
The Bees offered little in response with the closest effort coming from Henrik Dalsgaard whose half-chance flashed across the face of the goal and harmlessly out for a goal-kick.
This third consecutive Championship defeat now means Brentford sit level with Watford on 57 points but only one point above Swansea City who have three games in hand.