Stevenage were consigned to defeat in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round after a disappointing display against Brentford. It was a game of few chances, and even fewer clear cut ones, but it was a glancing header from Robbie Simpson that ensured the Bees made it through to the next round at Boro's expense.

Darius Charles and Charlie Griffin were absent from the sixteen with Scott Laird moving back into the starting line up alongside Peter Winn. Robbie Sinclair dropped to the bench while Joel Byrom took his place in the midfield.

It was a good start to the game for both sides, with Boro testing the water early on with a good corner routine that reached the head of Mark Roberts, only to be parried away forcefully by Richard Lee.

Both sides registered shots on target, with comfortable saves for the respective goalkeepers to make as the teams jockeyed for position, wanting to get their noses in front. Perhaps one of the best chances came from a Chris Beardsley cross that found Yemi Odubade, but the forward couldn't get the right contact and headed wide.

The frontman tried to make amends minutes later with a good effort from outside the box when options were at a premium, but again Lee got himself behind the ball well. The atmosphere was somewhat subdued, but livened a little bit once the first goal had been scored.

It wasn't a pretty one for Boro, as the ball swung in from the Brentford right, and was met with a glancing header from Robbie Simpson, who guided the ball in towards the far post. It was a body blow for Boro, but one with which they knew they must fight back.

Boro showed a bit of heart immediately afterwards and went about trying to repair the damage and Winn nearly levelled the scoring with a long drive that rose over the bar. This was shortly followed by a similar effort from Byrom that followed the same pattern.

Brentford should have doubled the lead shortly after another ball came swinging into the area that Nicky Adams connected with, but could only send it over the bar.

In the opening fifteen minutes of the second half, it was Odubade who had the best chances for Boro. The first he sent blazing over the bar, but the latter was a well struck effort from outside the box that had Lee in trouble, although the goalie did well to keep the ball out of the net.

This was followed by another good attempt, this time from Byrom, who forced another save down low by Lee, as Stevenage grasped the momentum and fought for the equaliser.

Brentford by no means took their foot off the gas, and Simpson could have grabbed a second goal from a Myles Weston cross, but his effort was weak and easy for Day to collect to his right.

Chris Beardsley fell afoul of a crowded area and had to be substituted giving Tim Sills a chance to get some minutes under his belt. It was Michael Bostwick who was next to chance his arm however, as he forced another good save from Lee, who pounced on the rebound before Bostwick could follow up.

Sinclair was introduced to the fray as Boro upped the ante, and Sills tried a speculative effort from the d that he curled wide of goal, but Boro just couldn't break the forces surrounding the goal.

Graham Westley threw the dice for the final time, by bringing Mark Roberts off and replacing him with David Bridges.

Despite the idea, it did not come off for the men in white, and Stevenage found themselves exiting the competition at the first hurdle. A disappointing effort from Stevenage, but one that will no doubt spur them on to do even better at the weekend.