Brentford 0-0 Derby County: Bees frustrated in stalemate
- Published
The best chance of the game fell to Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, but the Frenchman hit the crossbar
Brentford had to settle for a point after being held to a goalless draw at home by lowly Derby County in a match in which neither side managed a shot on target.
Vitaly Janelt and Bryan Mbeumo sent efforts wide in the first half, and Mbeumo and Josh Dasilva both hit the crossbar for the Bees after the break.
The visitors rarely threatened, but Rams winger Kamil Jozwiak saw a strike come back off the base of the post with 19 minutes left.
The result means Derby stretch their unbeaten run to four games since Wayne Rooney was placed in sole interim charge, and moves them up a place to 22nd in the table.
Brentford remain in seventh place, with Thomas Frank's men now two points off the Championship play-off places.
The west London club, beaten play-off finalists last season, are 10 games without defeat - but have drawn six of those matches.
County keeper David Marshall was called into action at the start of the second half to claw away a dangerous free-kick from Emiliano Marcondes from the left flank.
The best chance of the game, which was attended by 2,000 fans at the Brentford Community Stadium, fell to Mbeumo when he was teed up after Ivan Toney headed down a cross.
But the Frenchman - who has netted only once this season - clipped the top of the bar with his first-time half-volley from eight yards out, with Marshall already committed.
Tom Lawrence twice went close for Derby, failing to convert a Jozwiak cross and having a shot deflected wide, while the Rams also saw defender Curtis Davies stretchered off midway through the second half.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank told BBC Radio London:
"In the first half we were untidy but we got sharper in the second half.
"They are a good team. I know they are at the bottom, but they were top-six contenders last year and you don't just turn into a bad team.
"We created five big chances but didn't have the sharpness or quality in the decisive moments.
"I would have loved to be able to give the fans a win, but it is so good to see them as they mean so much to us."
Derby interim manager Wayne Rooney:
"Brentford are a good team and are difficult to play against.
"Our shape and discipline was fantastic. I'm delighted to get a clean sheet and a point.
"Over the last four games I've been happy with how it's going, and I'm excited for the next two home fixtures."
On the injury to Davies: "It doesn't look too good. He's been fantastic for us, so hopefully it's not as bad as first feared."
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