Brentford 2 Notts Co. 3 DEFIANT Brentford manager Wally Downes insisted his side won't be relegated to the Third Division after Saturday's defeat by fellow strugglers Notts County left them with only one win in their last 16 games.

Downes said: "It's by no means the end of the world and there's a long way to go. Our lads have played well enough not to get sucked into the bottom four.

"But they need to respond to the situation. We need to be strong enough mentally at the back to keep teams away from us."

County came back from 2-1 down to win with two goals in the last 19 minutes and Downes said Brentford did not defend strongly enough. He lamented: "One goal has come from a throw-in and the other saw us allow the fella to run without getting a block on his shot."

Downes also blamed his side's inability to finish opponents off when well placed to gain a victory. He said: "It's been apparent this year when we've been in front, and had opportunities to close games down, we haven't done it."

Downes made two changes from the 4-1 defeat at Luton Town, dropping Joel Kitamirike and Kevin O'Connor for Andrew Frampton and Stephen Evans.

County went ahead in the 12th minute when play-maker Darren Caskey crossed for skipper Ian Richardson to nod past Alan Julian.

But Stephen Evans blasted the equaliser four minutes later after Tony Rougier chested down Ronnie Bull's centre from the left. A free-kick from Michael Dobson then led to Eddie Hutchinson heading Brentford in front in the 40th minute with his fourth goal of the season.

The Bees had the edge after the interval without managing to get a third goal. County took full advantage by equalising in the 71st minute when substitute Steve Scoffham, having replaced ex-Bee Mickael Antoine-Curier, beat Frampton to set up Heffernan to volley home.

County then grabbed the winner in the 81st minute. Tony Scully burst past Michael Dobson and hammered in a 20-yard drive to give Notts their first back-to-back wins for 11 months.

Brentford: Julian; Dobson, Sonko, Frampton, Bull; Rougier, Talbot, Hutchinson, Evans; May (Tabb, 75mins), Wright. Subs not used: Nelson, Kitamirike, Smith, O'Connor.