Leeds rescue late draw at Brentford

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26 Jan 2016

Substitute Mustapha Carayol's late goal earned Leeds a point after an improved second-half display against Brentford.

A fine Sam Saunders strike gave the Bees a deserved interval lead, and although they failed to press home their dominance, it looked likely to secure a second consecutive league win.

But Carayol's 18-yard shot levelled the scores with six minutes remaining.

And although chances came at both ends in a frantic finale, neither team had the composure to take them.

The Bees, who had lost four in a row before Saturday's victory at Preston, will rue their inability to take their opportunities before the break.

Dean Smith's side played with confidence and quality as they controlled possession during a stylish first-half performance in the teeming rain at Griffin Park.

Josh McEachran was the game's outstanding player, dictating the pace from the centre of the pitch along with John Swift and the ever-dangerous Alan Judge.

But it was Saunders who made the difference, racing from the halfway line and using superb decoy runs from Lasse Vibe and Alan Judge to full effect before beating keeper Marco Silvestri with a powerful low strike.

Mirco Antenucci, on as an early substitute for the injured Chris Wood, almost levelled within two minutes when his long-range effort was kept out by a brilliant save by David Button.

But the Bees remained the more dangerous side with Judge twice going close to doubling the lead with decent strikes.

An uncharacteristic McEachran error almost presented the visitors with an equaliser, but Souleymane Doukara sent his shot just wide of the post.

But the away side's endeavour was rewarded when Carayol netted from the edge of the box.

Sam Saunders shoots Brentford in to the lead against Leeds at Griffin Park

Sam Saunders scored his first goal of the season to give Brentford the lead

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Brentford

27 Button
02 Colin
06 Dean
29 Barbet
03 Bidwell
15 Woods
10 McEachran
07 Saunders (Gogia - 65' )
18 Judge
19 Swift (Yennaris - 88' )
21 Vibe (Djuricin - 64' Booked )

Substitutes

08 Djuricin
11 Hofmann
16 Bonham
17 Kerschbaumer
22 O'Connell
24 Gogia
28 Yennaris

Leeds United

01 Silvestri
04 Wootton
05 Bellusci Booked
06 Cooper Booked
21 Taylor
15 Dallas (Carayol - 77' Booked )
08 Murphy (Diagouraga - 60' )
26 Bridcutt Booked
23 Cook
11 Doukara
09 Wood (Antenucci - 19' )

Substitutes

07 Antenucci
16 Diagouraga
18 Carayol
24 Adeyemi
27 Phillips
31 Coyle
45 Peacock-Farrell

Ref: Iain Williamson

Att: 10,051

Match Stats

Possession 53 47

Shots

9 10

On target

4 3

Corners

4 4

Fouls

10 4

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Brentford 1, Leeds United 1.

90:00 +5:12 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Brentford 1, Leeds United 1.

90:00 +2:57

Attempt saved. Souleymane Doukara (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

90:00 +2:05

Attempt blocked. Harlee Dean (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Akaki Gogia with a cross.

90:00 +0:23

Foul by Marco Djuricin (Brentford).

90:00 +0:23

Liam Cooper (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

88:19

Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Charlie Taylor.

87:48 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Brentford. Nico Yennaris replaces John Swift.