Brentford overcame a stubborn Barnet side 3-1 in a feisty FA Cup fourth round replay at Griffin Park.

Barnet’s Tony Kleanthous’ decision to stay away from his side’s ‘biggest tie in history’ over ticket allocation issues seemed to be a blessing in disguise for the chairman as first half goals from Sergi Canos and Julian Jeanvier put the Championship side in full control at the break.

Medy Elito’s rash challenge on Canos ignited a mass brawl early in the second half which overshadowed what was a valiant effort from the visitors during the second period.

Neal Maupay and David Tutonda traded goals moments apart mid-way through the second half of a game where the talking point sadly will be the melee.

Nightmare Start

The lowest ranked team left in the competition saw their FA Cup dream get off to a nightmare start on 7 minutes. It was oh so simple for the homeside.

Said Benrahama picking up a short corner and driving in to the box before fizzing a cross across the goal line which Canos flicked home in front of the sell out away end.

Their lead was doubled on 25minutes when Benrahama’s free-kick from the right was met with aplomb by Jeanvier who volleyed to the roof of the net leaving Mark Cousins in goal with questions to ask of his defenders.

Melee

The talking point of the match came moments into the second half.

Elito's sliding challenge on Canoos caused the Spaniard to react.

Going nose to nose with the Barnet midfielder the visitor went down feigning a head-butt. As he lay stricken an ‘old fashioned brawl’ broke out involving up to 18 players.

Three yellow cards were shown, both protagonists and the unmistakeable figure, and pony-tail, of Barnet’s Dan Sweeney who had a huge part to play in the brawl spilling in to the stands.

Brentford raised their game following the incident and Canos in particular relished the physical challenge.

Chances at both ends came as Romaine Sawyers saw two golden opportunities squandered from close range moments before Shaq Coulthirst and Craig Robson were denied, firstly by a sublime save from Luke Daniels and then by the cross-bar.

The tie was sealed on 70 minutes when Maupay slotted him Henrik Dalsgaard’s deflected cross to kill hopes of a famous comeback that Barnet had threatened.

Left-back Tutonda restored some hope as he found himself in the Brentford box and lashed home an unstoppable half-volley.

Substitute Dan Sparkes nearly re-created the magic from the first tie, but two free-kicks went agonisingly over for the left-footer.

As the clock ticked towards 90, hopes of a late comeback dwindled as Brentford run down the clock to leave the visiting support gallantly cheering their team’s effort.

Brentford Bees travel to Swansea in the next round.