Brentford boss Dean Smith hopes his side can see light at the end of the tunnel after a challenging few weeks in the Championship.

The Bees twice surrendered a one-goal lead away at Middlesbrough last weekend, where it finished two goals apiece.

Smith felt his team’s performance deserved more than a point after a Yoann Barbet header and an Ollie Watkins goal either side of half-time had put them in the driving seat.

But Boro pegged Brentford back courtesy of scores from Martin Braithwaite and Fabio, denying the Bees a first win at the Riverside since 1938.

The result means Brentford have taken five points from a possible nine following a win at Bolton and successive draws against Derby County and Boro. 

And despite enduring their worst Championship start since the 2010-11 season, Smith has called on his side to focus on the positives and is adamant that his players can put a turbulent month behind him.

“We’ve had three tough games at the end of a tough month,” said Smith.

“To go through this week against Bolton Wanderers, Derby County, and Middlesbrough unbeaten shows how far we have come.

“The performances have been very good in every one of those games.

“We are pleased with that but it is something that we need to continue to get the wins on the board.”

It was a depleted Brentford outfit that travelled to the Riverside, with John Egan, Andreas Bjelland, Sergi Canos, and Lasse Vibe all missing.

And Rico Henry added to Brentford’s disappointing afternoon when the left-back was stretchered off late on in the first-half, forcing a defensive reshuffle.

Despite securing only nine points in their first 11 matches, Smith is targeting the upcoming international break as a much-needed window to replenish the ranks of his injury-hit squad. 

“The international break gives us the chance to get some of the players recovered,” said Smith. 

“Chris Mepham was out there making his full league debut with John Egan not well enough to play and Andreas Bjelland still feeling his hamstring.

“Rico Henry also got stretchered off – that meant Josh Clarke had to go at left-back.

“It didn’t look great when he got carried off. He felt something and he was in quite a lot of pain.”