Brentford striker Charlie MacDonald scored a controversial penalty to help condemn Exeter to a 2-0 defeat.

MacDonald nets controversial penalty in 2-0 win

Brentford striker Charlie MacDonald scored a controversial penalty to help condemn Exeter to a 2-0 defeat at St James' Park. The Grecians were fuming when referee Anthony Bates awarded the Bees a spot-kick for a foul by Rob Edwards 14 minutes from time when he looked to have won the ball. The penalty was clinically dispatched by MacDonald. The goal was perhaps deserved for the visitors, who created the better chances even if Exeter had enjoyed more possession. Any hopes the Devon side had of mounting a comeback were ended in the 79th minute when poor defending allowed Sam Wood to run through and he blasted a low shot into the bottom corner from MacDonald's through ball. Brentford could have scored more but found goalkeeper Paul Jones in fine form, while the Grecians created little in front of goal. The closest they came was when Adam Stansfield's shot deflected narrowly wide in stoppage time.