Warburton cool over promotion talk

Late goals from Harlee Dean and Jota secured a memorable 2-1 win over derby rivals Fulham and lifted the Bees, who came up from League One last season, to within a point of leaders Derby.

"It's 18 games into a 46-game season, we will take it one game at a time and the boys will enjoy this one," said Warburton.

"We have got a good squad of players, they work really hard and they deserve to be where they are."

Three points appeared unlikely after a frustrating first hour, during which Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli kept Brentford at bay and Hugo Rodallega snatched an undeserved lead for Fulham.

Bettinelli may have pulled out of England Under-21s duty earlier this week due to a thumb injury, but he did not let it show with early saves from Tony Craig and Jon Toral headers before a stunning stop to deny Toumani Diagouraga.

By contrast, Bees goalkeeper David Button had little to occupy him until first-half stoppage time, when he made a fine stop to keep out Rodallega's header from Fulham's first effort on target.

That was a warning Brentford failed to heed and they fell behind to Rodallega's seventh goal of the season after the break.

Defender Dean gave the ball away deep in his own half, Ross McCormack raced into the area and squared the ball to Rodallega for a simple finish.

However Dean, desperate to make up for his error, charged into the opposition half nine minutes from time and fed Stuart Dallas, before continuing his run into the area and crashing the return ball into the top corner.

A point was the least Brentford deserved but they snatched all three in stoppage time when Spanish midfielder Jota cut in from the right and saw his shot take a deflection off Dan Burn to beat Bettinelli.

"We got a bit sloppy early in second half and you can't give Rodallega two chances," added Warburton. "But what a response.

"Harlee made a mistake but he drove forward, made the pass and continued his run. And it was a magnificent finish.

"That goal got the place erupting again and to get a late winner was tremendous."

Defeat brought an end to Fulham's six-game unbeaten run and manager Kit Symons admitted: "I'm disappointed to say the least.

"Brentford played very well and if they'd scored the two goals in the first half when they were dominating it would have made it easier to take.

"But to have our noses in front so late makes it even more galling to come away with nothing."