Thomas Frank slammed the EFL for not using VAR in the Championship play-offs after Brentford went down 1-0 to Swansea in their semi-final first leg.

A fine André Ayew strike means the Bees will now head back to Griffin Park with a one goal deficit to overhaul, as they target a return to the top flight for the first time in over 70 years.

Brentford’s misery was compounded by a red card for Rico Henry at the Liberty Stadium, as referee Keith Stroud dismissed the visitors’ left-back for a sliding challenge on Swans midfielder Connor Roberts.

Frank fumed at the decision and reckons the Championship should adopt the VAR system - first introduced in the Premier League at the beginning of this season - for such high-profile matches.

"I definitely think there should be VAR in these games,” the Dane said.

“I understand we do not have it in the Championship but these games are so decisive.

"We are playing for promotion to the Premier League, we are playing for £170m, so I don't understand why we don't have it in these games.

"VAR definitely wouldn't have given it. That is for the future and hopefully the EFL will do something about that.

"I don't think it was a red card - we are 100% going to appeal and I expect it to be cancelled, so Rico can play on Wednesday night.

"I spoke to the referee about that incident - and funnily enough, he thought it was a red card.”

Frank kicked a seat in frustration following the incident as his side left themselves with it all to do in west London, with match-winner Ayew also seeing his penalty saved by Bees goalkeeper David Raya before his 82nd minute strike.

But the visitors produced a much-improved performance following recent defeats against Stoke and Barnsley, having failed to leapfrog West Bromwich Albion in the second automatic promotion place.

Brentford were forced to settle for the play-offs but finished 11 points ahead of Steve Cooper’s Swansea in the table, who miraculously overturned a three-point, and five-goal, deficit to Nottingham Forest on a wild final night of the Championship on Wednesday.

Saïd Benrahma, Mathias Jensen and red-hot striker Ollie Watkins all missed chances in the first leg clash, as Frank’s side were unable to make their superiority in the table show on a night to forget in south Wales.

They still have a golden opportunity to get to Wembley and give themselves a shot at the big time, however, with Wednesday’s second leg looming in what will be the final competitive match at Griffin Park before the Bees move to their new Brentford Community Stadium.

Frank says there’ll be no shortage of motivation and his players are champing at the bit to bounce back under the west London lights.

"No, it's not going to be difficult all. There are no heads dropped, just heads up," he added.

"You can see the fire in the eyes of the players. They are ready to go.

"We are 1-0 down at half-time but the determination in the dressing room is so high I'm sure we're going to win that game."