Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Kazakhstan
Nigeria
San Marino

Result: Brentford 1-1 Forest: Bees suffer another blow in

sportsmole.co.uk, 20 March 2021, 15:02

Brentford 's stuttering promotion push suffered another blow after being held to a 1-1 draw by Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Ivan Toney 's spot-kick - his 28th goal of the season - gave the hosts a first-half lead before Filip Krovinovic controversially levelled just after the hour with Forest's only shot on target.

The Bees had let a two-goal lead slip against Derby in midweek and this latest setback left them with just one win in their last four games.

It was a game dominated by the Bees, but there were only glimpses of the slick side that mesmerised defences at the start of the season.

Forest's James Garner was the first to show, bursting forward from half-way with three minutes on the clock to fire in a shot from the edge of the box which was always rising.

But the Bees took the lead after 12 minutes, Toney stepping up to slide home from the spot in his trademark style after Gaetan Bong had hauled him over at a corner.

Bryan Mbeumo almost extended their lead five minutes later when he raced free down the left but squeezed an angled drive just wide of the far post.

Brentford survived a penalty scare midway through the half when Bong swerved his way into the box and hit the deck to earn himself a booking for the dive.

The hosts should have stretched their lead on the half hour, Vitaly Janelt 's volley from a training ground corner hitting the bar and bouncing down to Henrik Dalsgaard who side-footed wide.

Krovinovic tested Bees keeper David Raya with a whipped free-kick, but it was a rare effort for Chris Hughton 's side in a half dominated by the Bees.

But there was a timely warning for the Bees on the stroke of half-time when Bong whipped in a superb cross from the right that Lewis Grabban headed narrowly over.

Brentford stepped it up after the break and Sergi Canos twice tested keeper Brice Samba with routine stops, before another gilt-edged chance went begging.

Toney beat the offside trap and squared unselfishly for Mbeumo whose first-time shot from close range was blocked by a last-ditch Bong tackle for a corner.

And it proved costly as Forest hit back through Krovinovic, who slammed home his first goal since signing on loan from Benfica. Brentford felt Mathias Jensen was fouled by Cafu in the build-up but the goal stood.

Substitute Saman Ghoddos almost put the Londoners back ahead with his first touch when he latched on to an Mbeumo through ball, but his low shot was blocked by Tobias Figueiredo.

And he came even closer with 10 minutes remaining with a sweet half volley on the edge of the box which flashed agonisingly wide of the upright.

Seconds later Brentford keeper Raya was lucky to escape a straight red card when he appeared to catch the ball outside his box.

And he was nearly caught out less than a minute later when Cyrus Christie 's speculative 30-yard effort deflected off Jensen and looped just over the angle.

Substitute Tariqe Fosu thought he had given the Bees a late winner but his low drive after an incisive build-up was blocked on the floor by Christie.

Marcus Forss bundled an added-time long throw off target before Toney almost nicked it with what would have been a sensational winner, but his ambitious drive from 35 yards took a slight deflection and flew just wide.

Top News

23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mechelen play host to Standard Liege on Saturday evening looking for the point that they require to secure second place in the Belgian Pro League European playoff table. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for midfielder Toni Kroos. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leuven square off against Westerlo on Saturday evening looking to record the win that may be enough to secure third place in the Belgian Pro League European playoff table. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal-linked attacker Xavi Simons is reportedly pushing for a return to Barcelona in the summer transfer window. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After four years under the tutelage of David Moyes, West Ham United will begin a new era with head coach Julen Lopetegui, whose appointment was confirmed on Thursday. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serie A powerhouses Bologna have announced that Thiago Motta will be leaving the club ahead of his expected appointment as Juventus head coach. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Whether it be the old Wembley or the new Wembley, taking the walk up the famed steps to collect their FA Cup final medals is a core memory for many players talented or hard-working enough to compete for glory in the world's oldest club competition. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides whose fates have already been decided come together on the final matchday of the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season when Sivasspor host Kayserispor at the Yeni Sivas 4 Eylul Stadyumu. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United have confirmed the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With their dreams of immortality and a terrific treble in the bin, Bayer Leverkusen at least seek to end an otherwise masterful 2023-24 season with a domestic double when they face Kaiserslautern in Saturday's DFB-Pokal final at the Olympiastadion. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly taking an interest in signing a Serie A defender during the summer transfer window. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly willing to cash in on Richarlison in order to sign a direct replacement from another Premier League club. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Facing an incredibly stern test of their Coupe de France credentials, Paris Saint-Germain must navigate their way past a rejuvenated Lyon in Saturday's final if they are to seal a domestic double. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly received a boost ahead of trying to sign their priority attacking target during the summer transfer window. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A departing Real Madrid legend will play his final La Liga game for the club on Saturday, when the champions host Real Betis at the Bernabeu in their closing league fixture. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Concluding a near-faultless 2023-24 La Liga campaign, Real Madrid welcome Europa Conference League-bound Real Betis to Bernabeu on Saturday evening. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk First place in the MLS Supporters' Shield standings is within reach for FC Cincinnati as they travel to BMO Field on Saturday to face Toronto. 23 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami will clash at BC Place Stadium on Saturday for the first time ever in the MLS regular season. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly interested in succeeding England boss Gareth Southgate following his recent departure from Chelsea. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is reportedly interested in becoming Chelsea's new head coach. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to appoint Porto boss Sergio Conceicao as their new head coach. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal Under-17s and England Under-17s will both look to begin the European Under-17 Championship with consecutive wins when they face off in Friday's clash at the Ammochostos Stadium in Larnaca. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France Under-17s and Spain Under-17s will both be looking to bounce back from defeats when they go head-to-head in the European Under-17 Championship on Friday. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ademola Lookman produced one of the great all-time European performances as the 26-year-old's exhilarating hat-trick propelled Atalanta BC to the 2023-24 Europa League title with a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mason Mount was back in training for Manchester United on Wednesday, with the Englishman seemingly having a strong chance of returning to the Red Devils squad for the FA Cup final. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire has admitted that he 'doesn't know' if he will be fit for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alanyaspor host Antalyaspor at Bahcesehir Okullar Arena on the final day of the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig season. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly held initial talks with new MLS side San Diego FC over a possible transfer in 2025. 22 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow as a second-choice stopper.