PETER JACKSON praised his side's fighting spirit and then pointed to the one factor which will guarantee a play-off push.

"As soon as we start keeping clean sheets we will be right up there," said Jackson, who rested Anthony Lloyd and watched Andy Booth fail a late fitness test for a place on the bench after taking a knock in Saturday's training session.

"The lads have proved with their excellent football and battling spirit that we are more than a match for anyone on our day.

"We have no-one to fear in this League when we play like we can, but we do need to start closing the door at the back.

"I was delighted with Paul Rachubka on his return and, hopefully, it will become a permanent move, but I wasn't happy with the scruffy goal we conceded. The lads were told at half time that the only way Brentford were going to score was if we let our concentration slip at a set piece, and so it proved."

Jackson was unhappy with referee Carl Boyeson as Town missed the chance to go sixth in the table.

"There was a blatant elbow on Mendes in the first minute which he missed, plus a couple of handball penalty appeals," said Town's boss, who went to speak with the officials at half time.

"Some of his decisions I just couldn't understand and I know the fans were as frustrated as I was. I had words because I felt he spoiled a really good game of football."