Brentford B exited the Premier League Cup at the group-stage phase with a 3-2 defeat to Leicester Under-21s on Friday evening.

The young Bees left themselves a mountain to climb after going in 2-0 down at half-time. And despite efforts in the second period to overturn the deficit, Leicester remained in front.

From the last Premier League Cup game, which was a 2-2 draw with Burnley, Neal MacFarlane made two changes, with Tony Yogane and Vincent Angelini coming into the side.

Brentford started the game in confident fashion, controlling the ball in the early parts of the contest.

It became a cagey affair, similar to the reverse fixture, as both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball.

A quarter of the way into the half, Leicester had the first chance of the game. Silko Thomas found space inside the box and forced a good save from Angelini.

The young Foxes took the lead soon after that chance as Wanya Marcal was played through on goal by Henry Cartwright and the winger dispatched expertly to give his side the lead.

Will Alves jinked his way into the box but from eight yards out he ballooned his effort over the bar.

The home side were in control. Angelini made another save, tipping Ben Grist’s shot from a corner on to the crossbar.

Angelini was called into action again, as he denied Tawanda Maswanhise from close range.

The Bees were delivered a major blow to their hopes of progression from the group on the stroke of half-time as Thomas’ free-kick missed everyone and went straight into the net.

The Bees started the second half with increased intensity. Kyreece Lisbie was fouled in the penalty box, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

The in-form Morgan stepped up and dispatched from 12 yards to halve the deficit.

Morgan was in the thick of the action again and, following a flicked-on header by Ashley Hay, the striker’s shot beat the goalkeeper but was cleared off the line by Cartwright.

Angelini was called into action once again, twice denying Leicester, with stops to keep out efforts from Cartwright and Harvey Godsmark-Ford.

Second-half substitute Harvey Ewing gave his side their third goal, pouncing on a loose pass to round Angelini and slot into an empty net.

There was time for Brentford to set up a grandstand finish and Isaac Holland delivered a perfect cross which Lisbie guided into the net.

But the game would end 3-2, with the young Bees exiting the competition and Leicester and Fulham heading through from Group G.

Brentford B: Angelini, Farr, Adedokun (Laidlaw 90+4), Fredrick, Arthur, Hay, Owen, Morgan (Dickov 79) Brierley, Lisbie, Yogane (Holland 66)

Subs not used: Zabeli, Booth.

Goals: Morgan 48, Lisbie 86

Leicester U21s: Doherty, Cover, Wormleighton, Cartwright, Godsmark-Ford, Grist, Marcal, Briggs (Amartey 85), Maswanhise (Pennant 81), Alves (Ewing 64), Thomas

Subs not used: Young, Richards.

Goals: Marcal 18, Thomas 45+4, Ewing 74