The pace might have been picked up after the break, but that didn’t mask a shocking – and costly – first-half no- show by Huddersfield Town.

Brentford, three ahead after the opening period, benefited from a controversial penalty to register their fourth goal and snuff out any real chance of a fightback by David Wagner’s side.

But there was no arguing with their overall superiority as Town’s head coach suffered a fourth defeat in his sixth match at the helm.

If only Wagner’s inconsistent side could have started the game like they began the second period (with a goal inside 30 seconds) following two substitutions at half-time.

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With Town looking dazed and confused, Duane Holmes and Ishmael Miller were the men to make way for Kyle Dempsey and Nahki Wells.

But there were few among the first 11 on the team sheet who could have complained if they had been taken off.

Sky Bet Championship - Brentford (4) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Ishmael Miller.

After Jonathan Hogg (hip) joined Dean Whitehead, Emyr Huws and Philip Billing on the injured list beforehand, Wagner had an obvious lack of deep-lying midfielders.

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Rather than sacrifice his 4-2-3-1 formation, he went with Martin Cranie and Holmes behind Joe Lolley, Jamie Paterson and Mustapha Carayol, with Miller as the spearhead.

Sky Bet Championship - Brentford (4) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Martin Cranie.

But Town never got a look-in before the break as they were out-Terriered by the Bees, and stung by Sergi Canos’s opener just five minutes in.

All was all too straightforward for the on-loan Liverpool wideman, who received Chelsea loanee John Swift’s pass, and beat Jed Steer with a neat shot on the turn.

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It was painful viewing for the 1,004 away fans behind the goal in question, but there was worse to come.

Danish international striker Lasse Vibe was twice denied by Steer before doubling his side’s lead in the 21st minute.

This time centre-back James Tarkowski teed up the goal, with the former Gothenburg player crashing home a rising drive.

Sky Bet Championship - Brentford (4) v Huddersfield Town (2) - David Wagner.

Town were at sixes and sevens as Brentford made it three through Alan Judge in the 31st minute, when the former Blackburn Rovers man fired a low free-kick from wide on the Town right through a crowded penalty area.

Half-time was welcome if only to stop the punishment, but Wagner, to his credit, used the break profitably.

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Town were decisive from the restart as Joe Lolley linked smartly with Wells and with the tea still warm, beat David Button with a powerful strike.

With Paterson dropping back to play alongside Cranie and Dempsey driving forward with real purpose, the visitors looked a different proposition.

Sky Bet Championship - Brentford (4) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Kyle Dempsey.

What a shame Brentford were able to restore their three-goal cushion in the 54th minute, Judge netting from the spot after going down under Ben Chilwell’s challenge.

The decision looked a touch harsh, and West Midlands whistler Philip Gibbs wasn’t consistent in his decision making, but Town can’t blame the referee for their 11th league loss of the season.

At least they showed some character, even if, like Dempsey’s first goal for the club in the third minute of time added on, it came too late to stave off defeat.

Sky Bet Championship - Brentford (4) v Huddersfield Town (2) - Nahki Wells shoots wide.

Wells was especially bright, and could easily have added to his five-goal tally, one of his efforts brushing Button’s left-hand post.