Brentford suffered more promotion dispair in 2002 under manager Steve Coppell as they lost out to Stoke City in the play-off final having been just seconds away from automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign. The 1998- 1999 season was a major success as the Bees gained automatic promotion from division three as they finished top of the table on 85 points. Ron Noades mastered Brentfords success during the season.