Brentford left it late to squeeze past Colchester United, with Farid El Alagui breaking the deadlock with just two minutes left at Griffin Park on Saturday.

The Bees had created numerous chances on a baking hot day, yet proved profligate in front of goal and looked to heading for a solitary point until substitute Harry Forrester's cross from a tight position on the right was headed home from inside the six yard box by El Alagui.

Toumani Diagouraga wasted an excellent chance early on when Clayton Donaldson broke down the right and his low pass into the box left the midfielder with just the keeper to beat, but a poor first touch resulted in him firing wide of the left hand post.

Donaldson had the next chance, gathering a long ball and bursting into the box, before firing over.

At the other end a deep cross from the right was volleyed into the side netting by Andy Bond.

The impressive Adam Forshaw broke down the right wing and fired a low shot come cross wide of the left hand post.

Minutes later Jake Bidwell crossed to the back post, where El Alagui headed over.

Simon Moore made an excellent save for the Bees before seeing Ian Henderson shoot inches wide of his post from the edge of the box.

Donaldson should have put his side ahead early in the second half when the ball was cleared out of defence and he burst into Colchester's half, but lacked composure in front of goal as keeper Mark Cousins and a defender combined to block his shot.

Shaleum Logan turned in a great cross from the right, which Donaldson touched on and then Jonathan Douglas saw his attempt blocked.

Cousins then mis-kicked from inside his own box and El Alagui picked it up, but as he bore down on goal Cousins recovered to block his shot.

Then as time looked to be running out El Alagui popped up at the back post and his header ensured Brentford gathered all three points.

Brentford: Moore, Logan, Craig, Dean, Bidwell; Forshaw (sub Aeyemi 69), Douglas, Diagouraga, Saunders (sub Forrester 51); El Alagui, Donaldson (sub Hayes 63)

Subs (not used): Lee, Barron, Legge, O'Connor
Attendance: 5499

Man of the Match: Shaleum Logan

Goals:  El Alagui 88