BRENTFORD manager Wally Downes was deciding this week whether to take a gamble on an old pro and a raw kid - former Wimbledon centre-half Scott Fitzgerald and ex-Harlow youngster Matt Harrold - for this Saturday's relegation showdown with Stockport County at Griffin Park.

Centre-half Fitzgerald, on trial at Brentford this week after no longer holding down a first team place at Colchester United, could help save the Bees from dropping into the Third Division - if he could reproduce the form he showed at Wimbledon where he was a club-mate of Downes.

But, at 34, he is past his best and Downes had to make up his mind yesterday whether to sign him. The Bees boss is also torn between calling up 19-year-old Harrold or recalling Tommy Wright up front after failing to bring in an experienced striker on loan.

Downes told me: "Fitzgerald played for our Reserves in a 3-3 draw with QPR on Wednesday and his fitness is not a problem. But I need to talk to him to see whether we can sign him. I have known him since he was a kid and he is a good pro.

"Harrold also proved his fitness in the Reserves on Wednesday after overcoming injury and he and Wright come into consideration to partner Ben May up front because we will be switching from 4-5-1 to our normal 4-4-2."

Since joining the Bees from Harlow Town this season Harrold has made only two starts - and scored a hat-trick against Gainsborough in the FA Cup! He is such a great prospect that Brentford are expected to give him a new contract, so why not call upon him in their hour of need?

Defeat by Swindon on Saturday plunged Brentford into the relegation places for the first time since September and they desperately need to defeat fellow strugglers Stockport County tomorrow (3pm).

Second-from-bottom Stockport, having beaten second-placed Bristol City 2-0 on Saturday, are now only one place and two points worse off than Brentford. The Bees are stuck on 34 points after failing to win their last six matches and gaining only one victory in their last 18. It left them one point below Notts County and two adrift of Peterborough in 20th place.

In order to bring back the fans to give them vocal encouragement, Brentford are reducing admission prices to £5 for adults and £1 for children on Saturday.

Talented wideman Steve Hunt has been fighting to shake off a groin injury that has caused him to miss Bees' last four games. If Hunt does not make it then Downes might be well advised to recall his other skilful flanker Tony Rougier. The former Reading player was dropped for being inconsistent, but he has the ability to open up defences.

Banned Rookie keeper Stuart Nelson will again be preferred in goal to Alan Julian, but Julian returns for the trip to Blackpool on Tuesday (7.45pm) when Nelson starts a four-game suspension following his dismissal on his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Brighton. Referee Phil Crossley deemed the offence as 'serious foul play' instead of a professional foul, which normally carries a one-match ban, so Nelson sits out an extra two games. As Nelson was sent off earlier in the season while with Hucknall Town, an extra match must be added for the second red card, making four in total so Brentford are to bring in another keeper as cover.

*Ronnie Bull's loan from Millwall has been extended for a third and final month until April 8. The 23-year-old left-back has missed only one match - due to suspension - since his arrival in January.

*Brentford have let their 19-year-old reserve team captain Danny Thomas join Ryman League side Staines Town on a month's loan, but are giving a trial to another midfielder, Craig Dobson from Cheltenham Town.

Dobson came on as a substitute to make his debut, together with Fitzgerald, in the Reserves' 3-3 draw with QPR which contained two penalties and six bookings!

Matt Paterson, in his final appearance for the Bees, had a spot kick blocked by Adriano Bosso but scored from the rebound. Brentford then fell 3-1 behind before hitting back with goals from Stephen Hughes and Mark Peters (penalty) in the last ten minutes.

Bees Reserves: Julian; Allen-Page, Fitzgerald, Frampton, Fieldwick (C. Dobson); Hughes, Smith, Paterson (Rhodes), Blackman; Peters, Harrold.