Warburton hoping for fond farewell

The Bees now need to also win their final match of the campaign against Wigan at Griffin Park next week to stand a chance of finishing in the top six.

And Warburton, who leaves the club at the end of the term, is desperate for their season to be extended.

"It's very disappointing (to be leaving)," he said. "It's a great club, I'm delighted to be associated with it. I've been here four-and-a-half years now. But the situation, it is what it is. I'm sure the club can keep on going forward.

Asked if he could sign off with a play-off final appearance, he added: "Let's hope so. If you're right there, I'll be buying you a glass of red wine. That's our aim, anyway. It has to be.

"We weren't at our best today but got an early goal that calmed the nerves and were much better in the second half. The game was too open at times but we got the three points.

"It's tight for those last play-off places so all we can do is focus on the Wigan game."

Brentford lie in seventh place, two points from the top six. They need to beat Wigan and for Derby or Ipswich to lose next Saturday to reach the play-offs, while goal difference could also come into play.

Despite not having won in four matches, Brentford tore into Reading from the off and went ahead in the seventh minute. Andre Gray crossed from the right byline and Alan Judge nipped in at the near post to tuck the ball past home goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Reading responded positively but with a series of efforts that were mostly wayward. Nathaniel Chalobah twice, Garath McCleary, Jamie Mackie were all wasteful.

Gray should have stretched Brentford's lead soon after the interval but was denied by an outstretched leg from Federici.

Reading, beaten FA Cup semi-finalists the previous weekend, thought they had equalised when Chalobah tucked in from close range but he was ruled offside.

Brentford made it 2-0 in the 65th minute when Judge's free kick was met by the unmarked centre back James Tarlowski, who nodded powerfully past Federici.

As Brentford finished strongly, substitute Jon Toral struck a post and Federici saved well from Judge.

Reading, now without a win in eight league games, could do Brentford a favour next Saturday, when they meet Derby at the iPro Stadium.

"We look a good team until we get to the final third of the pitch," manager Steve Clarke said. "That's what's killing us at the moment.

"It's frustrating but, fortunately, we've not got any more home games left. I'm pleased that they're both away.

"We give everybody a game but, unfortunately, the opposition always seem to get more goals than us. That's the reality of the situation.

"The team is in a difficult moment, it seems to be stuck in a bit of a rut. And we're running out of time this season to find a solution."