Brentford were dealt a big blow this week when the FA rejected their appeal against the dismissal of top scorer Jo Kuffour for violent conduct in Saturday's heartbreaking 1-1 draw at Bradford City.

Kuffour is ruled out for the next three matches - Saturday's home game against leaders Scunthorpe United, the trip to Bristol City on March 10 and the visit of Rotherham United on March 17.

The diminutive striker, who previously boasted an exemplary record of only five yellow cards in 212 appearances, will be sorely missed, and Brentford will be looking to Charlie Ide to take over his scoring role.

Commenting on Kuffour's 85th-minute red card for a foul on Ben Parker, who had hacked him down earlier to concede a penalty, manager Scott Fitzgerald said: "I didn't think it was a sending off.

"Jo had his eyes firmly on the ball and didn't take them off it once."

Fitzgerald was also upset with referee Darren Deadman's decision to award Bradford a contentious penalty two minutes from time which Steve Schumacher converted to earn the Bantams a share of the spoils.

Deadman pointed to the spot when Bradford substitute Bruce Dyer went down under a challenge from the recalled Michael Leary, and a frustrated Fitzgerald declared: "I didn't think it was a penalty.

"It was very, very dubious."

Forced into making one change - Andrew Frampton succumbing to the virus that had previously struck down Leary - Brentford opened brightly against a struggling Bradford side now in the hands of caretaker player-manager David Wetherall.

The Bees thought they had taken the lead on the half-hour when Joe Keith's cross was turned in by Charlie Ide, but the teenage striker was ruled off-side.

After 47 minutes, they did take the lead. Kuffour was taken down by Parker and captain Kevin O'Connor rifled the penalty into the top right-hand corner of the net to celebrate his 25th birthday.

The game exploded in the final five minutes.

First Kuffour received his marching orders after a linesman decided he had led with his elbow as he challenged Parker.

A minute later, Dyer won Bradford's penalty, which was converted by Schumacher.

Brentford: Abbey; O'Connor, Osborne, Richards, Tillen; Ide, Mousinho, Leary, Keith; Kuffour, Shipperley. Subs unused: Nelson, Griffiths, Brooker, Pinault, Willock. Att: 7,627.

Brentford beat Crawley Town 2-1 in a friendly at Broadbridge Health Leisure Centre in Crawley on Tuesday with goals by Alex Rhodes and first-year scholar Luke Ruddick, who pushed up from defence to score the winner in the second-half.

Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson successfully continue his rehabilitation, and centre-half Matt Heywood played his first game of 2007 following a groin injury.

Paul Brooker and Ryan Peters also featured for Brentford, while Darius Charles, on loan at Crawley, played at left-back against his Bees team-mates.

q Marnie Blood hit four goals and Lashan Millwood three as Brentford girls U12s hammered Hendon 11-0 on Sunday.

Deryn Holland scored on her debut, with the other goals coming from Livvy Birbeck, Alex Lynn and Charlotte Thomas-Rowe.

The U11s beat Watford Youth Sports 5-0 away, with Selin Buyukiguary scoring four and Katy Davies one.