Full-time: Brentford 0 Bristol City 1

When his predatory instincts were needed most, Nicky Maynard popped up with a timely goal to save City’s blushes at Griffin Park.

But there was nothing comfortable about the Championship side’s progress to the next round as League One newcomers Brentford gave the visitors a Carling Cup fright.

Last season’s League Two champions were determined to cause an upset on home soil and would almost certainly have done so had it not been for a combination of poor finishing and the heroics of goalkeeper Dean Gerken, whose saves kept his side in contention.

Bristol City’s prospects appeared bleak when striker Danny Haynes was shown a second yellow card and sent off six minutes into the second half.

But the visitors displayed no little character to poach a winning goal seven minutes later, Maynard heading home from close range to afford his side much-needed breathing space.

Thereafter, City’s 10 men had to dig in to repel a frenzied onslaught from the Londoners, who did everything but score in a dramatic finale.

Having ridden their luck, Gary Johnson’s men will now hope for the reward of a money-spinning tie against Premier League opposition in the next round.

Deprived of four members of the side which started against Preston owing to international call-ups, City boss Gary Johnson was forced to utilise his squad, handing a debut to left wing-back Andre Blackman, deploying Cole Skuse as one of three central defenders and recalling Lee Johnson and Gavin Williams to serve in midfield.

Dumped out of the competition by League One minnows Crewe last season, City hardly needed reminding of the threat posed by a Brentford side brimful of confidence after winning promotion in May. Sure enough, the Londoners began in robust fashion, exploiting space behind the wing-backs to deliver a series of crosses which required the visitors to clear their lines under duress.

Sam Saunders was narrowly off target from the edge of the penalty area, while Dean Gerken was forced to extend himself to keep out a rising shot from the lively Myles Weston.

Brentford should have converted pressure into a lead on 11 minutes, Steve Kabba out-stripping Liam Fontaine and rounding Gerken, only to sky his shot with the goal at his mercy.

Bradley Orr tested Bees keeper Nikki Bull with a thunderous drive from range and Fontaine just failed to capitalise on Lee Johnson’s quickly-taken free kick, but goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between for City, who continued to be troubled by the home side’s ability to counter-attack at pace.

Gerken was by far the busier of the two keepers and he was forced into preventative action once more when turning a fierce shot from Saunders behind. From the resultant corner kick, centre-back Mark Phillips headed inches wide at the far post.

It was impossible for Brentford to maintain their early tempo and City came back into the game as half-time approached, Nicky Maynard’s direct running drawing a crucial tackle from Bees defender Alan Bennett. Bull then had to make a smart save at his near post to divert Danny Haynes’ angled shot.

But the Championship side were still not out of danger and Ryan Dickson’s lofted through ball caused consternation in City ranks, the alert Gerken eventually saving the day by rushing from his line and bravely hurling himself at Kabba’s feet.

Johnson no doubt dispensed harsh words during the interval and City emerged for the second half with renewed purpose. But the manager’s team talk could not possibly cater for what happened next.

Having already been shown a yellow card for a show of petulance when kicking the ball away shortly before the interval, Haynes was then guilty of a late challenge on Dickson and referee Phil Crossley had little option but to send the former Ipswich man off, reducing the visitors to 10 men and leaving Maynard to operate as a lone forward.

Yet his departure in no way hindered City from taking the lead seven minutes later. Orr delivered the ball into the penalty area from the flank, Fontaine helped it on and Maynard scored with a downward header which hit the deck before bouncing high into the roof of the net.

Just as they did at Preston three days earlier, City managed to reassert their authority after being out-gunned in the opening 45 minutes. In the circumstances, it said much about their strength of character and will to win.

Forced into a response, Brentford were again foiled by the impressive Gerken 20 minutes from time. On this occasion, the keeper went a long way to claw a Saunders’ free kick to safety.

He did even better moments later, spreading himself to keep out an absolute pile-driver of a shot from the same player. No wonder Saunders stood with his head in his hands.

Brentford continued to press and Sam Wood sent an effort fizzing wide from 18 yards, while Weston saw his shot bounce off the bar and go behind.

Brentford (4-4-2): Bull; Foster, Phillips, Bennett, Dickson; Wood, O’Connor, Hunt, Saunders (Osborne 86); Weston, Kabba (Williams 86).

Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Gerken; Skuse, Carey, Fontaine; Orr, Elliott, Johnson, Blackman (Sproule 81); Williams (sub Wilson 78); Haynes, Maynard (Akinde 85).

Referee: P Crossley (Merseyside)

Attendance: 8,711