W. Brom 4, Brentford 0 WHO says lightening doesn’t struck twice? Brentford suffered another four-goal mauling and had another player sent off - this time goalkeeper Paul Smith - as they crashed out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday (writes ROBERT TRAND).

Smith received his first ever red card after colliding with Rob Hulse in the 43rd minute, and to make matters even worse Steve Hunt had to go off injured in the second-half and was kept in hospital overnight with a dead leg.

Brentford boss Wally Downes pointed an accusing finger at Hulse, saying: “I think that fella goes down too easily and gets players sent off.” The Bees could not cope with the tricky Koumas who provided the cross for Hulse to flick West Brom ahead in the 18th minute.

With Mark Peters coming off so Alan Julian could go in goal, Andy Frampton had to clear off the line from substitute Lee Hughes, before Bernt Haas stabbed in goal No. 2 in the 73rd minute.

Hulse then headed home after a needless free kick given away by Stephen Hughes and, with Sonko failing to dominate, Scott Dobie completed the rout from Lee Hughes’ cross.

Brentford: P. Smith; Dobson, Sonko, Frampton, Somner; Tabb, Hutchinson, J. Smith, Hunt (Hughes, 54mins); O’Connor (Blackman, 76 mins), Peters (Julian 44 mins). Subs not used: Fieldwick and Allen-Page.