Brentford Under-21s fell 2-1 to Hull City Under-21s on Tuesday night in an entertaining away fixture under lights.

A second half Isaac Holland goal equalised the young Tigers’ first half strike, however a second goal to the home side minutes later proved enough come the final whistle.

It was an entertaining start to the contest, a sign of things to come as both sides looked to attack any chance they could.

It was Brentford who started the better of the two teams, able to dominate possession and field position across the opening 10 minutes.

Fresh from scoring twice against Chelsea at the weekend, Ashley Hay continued to be a threat inside the box on Tuesday night. He rose above the pack to head an Ethan Brierley corner on six minutes, but it went wide left.

Hull City wrestled back momentum after the 10-minute mark and the game became an enticing arm wrestle. Pharrell Brown was the first young Tiger to put Brentford’s defenders under pressure, his shot on 15 minutes struck with some power, but it was blocked by trialist A.

Beaux Booth started strongly and nearly had a goal to his name on 24 minutes, as he fought off a defender to win the ball inside the box, however his shot was saved by Owen Foster in goal for Hull City.

It was the home side who broke the stranglehold on 27 minutes. Breaking away on the counterattack, Brown ran onto a good ball and shot, which was saved by Reggie Rose in goal for the young Bees. Lucas Dawson was there for the rebound, however, giving Hull City a 1-0 lead.

Brown was at it again on the half-hour mark as he fired a long-range strike, but it ended up in the safe hands of Rose.

The game continued to be played at a fast pace, both sides applying strong pressure without the ball and looking to attack while in possession.

Harry Vaughan almost doubled the home side’s lead as half-time approached, his shot deflecting off multiple defenders and flying across goal, just missing the right post, the score remaining 1-0 at the break.

The second half began exactly as the first half had finished, both sides defending strongly and attacking with the ball at their feet.

It was Brentford who had the best chance of the opening 15 minutes. Trialist A was taken down inside the box on 57 minutes and awarded a penalty. Brierley stepped up to the spot, however his strike hit the left post and was cleared away.

The young Tigers were back on the attack on 64 minutes, Zane Myers’ long-range shot taking a deflection and forcing Rose to make a strong save diving to his right.

The young Bees earned some reward for effort on 74 minutes as Holland found an equaliser. Brierley’s corner hit Chanse Headman at the back post, who headed it back across goal and found Holland, who headed it home from close range.

The joy was short-lived for MacFarlane’s side, Hull City going on the counterattack on 77 minutes, Vaughan cutting inside and firing his shot into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.

Brentford continued to press for an equaliser deep into added time. Their best chance came through Holland, who ran onto a great through ball from Ollie Shield, however his shot went high and wide, leaving Hull City to secure all three points.

Hull City U21s: Foster, Wadsworth, Leckie, Leake, Devine, Dickinson, Tinsdale, Myers, Dawson, Vaughan, Brown

Subs: Yam, Ashbee, Fanning, Harriman-Annous, Hall

Brentford U21s: Rose, Holland, Shield (Grey, 90+4), Trialist A, Headman, McManus (Samuels, 11’), Hay (Trialist B, 72’), Brierley, Morgan, Owen, Booth (Halil, 72’)

Subs not used: Tavaziva

MacFarlane praises young Bees' commitment

Head coach Neil MacFarlane praised his side's second half performance on Tuesday night, while highlighting his players ability to make a quick turnaround from Sunday's Premier League Cup clash.

The young Bees remained in the game until the final whistle and despite the result, pleased their coach with their performance.