Derby County head into the interval with a 2-0 lead over Brentford courtesy of goals from Chris Martin and Tom Ince.
David Button was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening stages, pulling off a save to deny Cyrus Christie at the far post with eight minutes on the clock.
Derby took the lead in the 20th minute when Christie's measured cross picked out Martin in front of goal and the Rams hitman scrambled the ball home.
Brentford's best chance to equalise came 10 minutes before the break when Akaki Gogia let fly from close range, only to see his shot blocked by Jason Shackell.
The chance went begging, and Brentford would go on to rue that miss as Ince doubled Derby's lead one minute before the break, capping off a swift counter with a composed finish.
Mark Langshaw
