Brentford boss Dean Smith was left frustrated after his side were beaten by Cardiff at the weekend, despite taking a first-half lead.

Sergi Canos’ effort three minutes before half-time was cancelled out by Sean Morrison’s header just after the break, before Peter Whittingham bagged the winning goal on 76 minutes.

The result leaves the Bees 12th in the Championship, with Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds two places and point below them.

It also dashed Brentford’s hopes of winning four successive Championship games for the first time since October 2015.

Smith said: “I’m very frustrated because it’s a game that we were in total control of and could've scored a bit more in the first-half.

“We scored a great goal and I expected us to go on and win two or three nil. The game had a pre-season feel to it, it was flat and there was no zip.

“[Sergi] Canos reminded me that I put him on the bench when we played here last year. He’s a good talent, but we’ve got a lot of player scoring goals.”

Brentford took the lead in the 42nd minute when Konstantin Kerschbaumer’s clever back-heel found Canos, whose low drive beat Cardiff goalkeeper Allan McGregor. 

The Spaniard has shone since rejoining Brentford for a club-record fee, believed to be in the region of £2.5m, in January. It was the 20-year-old’s fourth goal in as many games.

But all of Brentford’s dominance in the latter stages of the first-half was undone shortly after the break when Morrison drew Cardiff level. The Bluebirds skipper rose highest to head home Whittingham’s corner in the 47th minute. 

And Whittingham hit the winner in the 76th minute after connecting well with Zohore’s knock-down. 

The home side nearly equalised, but Cardiff had Jazz Richards to thank when his sliding tackle stopped Alan McCormack from bearing down on goal late on.

And Warnock’s men also suffered an injury-time scare when Lasse Vibe’s deflected shot hit the side netting. 

Cardiff boss Warnock says he finds it hard to get himself pumped up for games when there is nothing riding on them. 

He said: “I must admit the first-half might have epitomised myself. It’s very difficult to get myself up for game when I know we are safe. 

“I need an edge on my games, as well. I told my assistant Kevin Blackwell to give me a kick up the backside if he thinks I'm slacking because it’s easy to become complacent.

“Brentford had more possession but I thought we created the better chances. It’s disappointing when you go a goal down but I was pleased with the turnaround. 

“Fair play to the lads for taking on board what was said and making a game of it in the second-half.

“It’s quite easy at this time of the year to go through the motions, but I want fans to go home and talk about the goals and saves.”