Brentford defender Harlee Dean believes taking on Middlesbrough in their own back yard will suit the Bees down to the ground - literally.

A last minute Fernando Amorebieta goal cost the Bees a share of the spoils at Griffin Park last Friday night as the visitors claimed a 2-1 advantage at the half way stage of the two-legged play-off semi-final.

Away goals do not count in the event the scores are level at the end of normal and extra time leaving Brentford heading to the Riverside stadium knowing any win will keep hopes of reaching the final alive.

The Bees were crushed 4-0 the last time they visited the north east in a performance that featured Brentford’s worst half of football of the season according to manager Mark Warburton.

But Dean, who featured in that defeat, is confident of getting a result this time around.

“I don’t think the late goal changes things that much. If we had drawn we still would have had to have won and that is still the situation,” he said.

“Going up there on a bigger and wider pitch will suit us and will give us a better chance of winning.

“Set pieces and counter attacks is all they have got.

“They have got a solid defensive unit, but we have got to break them down and make sure we do not concede."

He added: “If we win we are in the final and 90 minutes away from the Premier League. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

“We’ve been in play-off finals before, but this is a different ball game, a different level of football.

“We’ve got to make sure we step up to the occasion and get the result.”