Brentford earned the bragging rights in west London as they won 2-0 at QPR in the Sky Bet Championship on Friday night.

Josh Clarke struck the opener for the Bees in the 42nd minute, and Romaine Sawyers sealed the three points in the second half in front of a frustrated home crowd at Loftus Road.

Reaction and analysis from Dean Smith after Brentford's first win over QPR at Loftus Road in 52 years

Brentford's first win in five games lifts them up to eighth in the table ahead of the rest of the weekend's action, while QPR stay 13th after a second straight defeat.

QPR started the brighter of the two sides, but the visitors grew into the game and created the far better chances throughout the first half.

Image: Josh Clarke scores Brentford's opener past QPR goalkeeper Alex Smithies

Their first real opportunity came after 20 minutes thanks to a lovely exchange between Sawyers and Josh McEachran, the latter lifting the ball over the QPR defence into the path of his team-mate, only for his shot to be kept out by Alex Smithies then agonisingly evade Scott Hogan, who would have had an open goal to fire into if the ball had reached him.

Image: QPR's Conor Washington battles for possession with Brentford's Romaine Sawyers

Brentford continued to press and five minutes later Hogan was presented with a great opportunity after a mistake by Steven Caulker allowed Clarke to play in Hogan, but his curling shot from inside the box flew wide of the far post.

Hogan then fired over the bar when presented with a clear-cut chance after 40 minutes, but Brentford's graft would finally pay off two minutes later as they took the lead through Clarke.

The 22-year-old picked up the ball in the area, before turning all too easily past QPR captain Nedum Onuoha and sliding home under Smithies.

QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admits his side were beaten by the better team

QPR improved in the second half but failed to create any real opportunities to get themselves level. Seven minutes after the break Conor Washington nearly had an open goal to head into from point-blank range, but the ball flew inches over his head after Tjaronn Chery had attempted to pull it back into his path.

Hogan then had a great chance to double Brentford's lead after 67 minutes, but he was denied by Smithies as the QPR goalkeeper spread himself low to his right to keep out the Brentford striker's shot.

Image: Maxime Colin of Brentford and Massimo Luongo compete for the ball

The Bees did finally double their lead just seven minutes later, though, as QPR gave the ball away far too easily near their own area and Sawyers picked out the top corner with his left foot from 16 yards after being fed by Maxime Colin.

Idrissa Sylla almost pulled a goal back straight away for QPR, but his goalbound header was cleared off the line by John Egan, and it turned out to be the home side's last realy chance as Brentford cruised to three well-earned points.