Brentford midfielder Stuart Dallas and keeper David Button were the heroes as the Bees ended a run of three straight defeats with a 1-0 win over Rotherham United.

Dallas volleyed home from the edge of the box in the 57th minute after Jota had seen his shot - from a Jake Bidwell cross – blocked.

But the Bees needed a finger tip save from Button from an 87th minute Paul Green header to preserve their lead and secure boss Mark Warburton’s men their first three points of 2015.

It should have been more comfortable as Andre Gray - denied by Rotherham United keeper Adam Collin when clean through - and Jota wasted gilt-edged chances to extend the advantage soon after Dallas had put the Bees in front.

While Alex Pritchard, a lively presence all afternoon, hit a post with a shot from distance and saw the ball bounce to safety with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Brentford had been lucky to go in at the break on level terms when Matt Derbyshire chose to cross when shooting seemed the better option.

And United new boy Danny Ward could not cap his debut with a goal on 30 minutes when he hit a tame shot straight at Button when unmarked in the box.

Brentford: Button; Bidwell, Tarkowski, Dean, Odubajo, Dallas, Douglas, Pritchard, Diagouraga, Jota (Jon Toral 75), Gray (Tommy Smith 79).