Emyr Huws gave Town a 26th minute lead and Nico Yennaris equalised a minute before half-time for Brentford as the Blues and Bees drew 1-1 at Portman Road. The visitors came closest to winning it in the second half when Myles Kenlock cleared a Sergi Canos effort off the line, while Cole Skuse had the Blues’ best chance.

Top scorer Tom Lawrence returned after his two-match ban to an otherwise unchanged Town side with Freddie Sears dropping to the bench.

For Brentford, Lasse Vibe was back from injury and came into the attack for Konstantin Kerschbaumer, who was on the bench with Romaine Sawyers switching to midfield, while Canos took over from Florian Jozefzoon.

Fans were late getting into the ground after a suspected gas leak delayed the opening of the turnstiles by half and hour until 2pm, however, the match itself kicked-off on time.

The Bees started very brightly, Yennaris finding Canos with a raking pass in the opening minute but Blues skipper Luke Chambers got a cross to block.

The corner came to nothing but the visitors continued to make the early running and soon afterwards Chambers was forced to turn the ball behind as Canos sought to cut back from the byline. ""From the flag-kick Jordan Spence blocked Maxime Colin’s strike, then a subsequent Jota effort also found a Town defender in the way.

The Blues threatened for the first time in the seventh minute when Christophe Berra and Jonas Knudsen both rose high but the ball was diverted the wrong side of the post.

On 10 Lawrence was fed through on goal but Bees keeper Daniel Bentley saved and the flag had been raised in any case. Soon after, the on-loan Leicester man hit a cross-shot from the left which flew wide.

After Brentford’s early pressure Town had got more into the game and were looking the more dangerous side, although without having forced Bentley into a serious save by that stage.

In the 19th minute Lawrence cut in and hit a shot from the left which was blocked, then a defender took the loose ball away from Spence just inside the box.

But on 26 the Blues went in front and as against Norwich last week following a long spell of passing.

Eventually Huws tapped the ball wide to Lawrence on the right from where the Leicester loanee looked to cross deep into the area. However, he hit it straight at the on-loan Cardiff man, who took it down and hooked his second goal for the club past Brentford keeper Bentley, who had been caught unawares.

There was a big scare for the Blues in the 35th minute when Chambers was caught in possession on halfway by Canos and the Bees broke through Vibe. However, Berra did superbly to block the Dane’s first strike and then Sawyers’s subsequent effort from the edge of the box.

As half-time approached the visitors put the Blues under a sustained spell of pressure and in the 44th minute they levelled when Sawyers played a clever ball in behind the Town defence for Yennaris, who burst into the box and beat the advancing Bartosz Bialkowski.

The Blues had one opportunity to restore their lead in the moments before the break but Berra headed Lawrence’s freekick from the right wide.

The Bees had deserved their equaliser shortly before half-time having been in charge and probing for an opening for a number of minutes prior to Yennaris’s goal.

Having repelled the visitors’ early pressure, Town had got themselves into the game and had got on top by the time Huws got his goal, although while rarely playing particularly fluid football, before allowing Brentford to get back in charge in the spell in which they scored their goal.

The Blues created their first opportunity of the second period in the 51st minute when Lawrence and McGoldrick exchanged passes on the right before the Welshman teed up the Irish international. However, the Blues number 10’s shot was mishit and struck a defender.

Brentford went close on 54 Chambers when was caught in possession and Canos brought the ball forward down the Bees left before cutting in and hitting a shot which Berra diverted wide.

Soon after, the visitors brought on Yoann Barbet for the injured Andreas Bjelland, then Town swapped Grant Ward for Toumani Diagouraga.

Just before the hour mark Canos hit a shot from distance, which flew not too far over Bialkowski’s cross-bar.

Brentford had been comfortably the better side in the second half and in the 68th minute they were inches from going in front. Canos exchanged a one-two with Vibe and broke into the box on the left. Bialkowski took the sting out of his shot but the ball was still going to cross the line until Kenlock hooked it away ahead of Yennaris.

The Bees swapped Canos for Florian Jozefzoon, then Town withdrew Huws in favour of Kevin Bru, before the visitors switched Vibe for Justin Shaibu.

On 73 Lawrence fed McGoldrick inside the area on the right but John Egan blocked his shot from a tight angle. Four minutes later, Jota played in Jozefzoon but Chambers stuck in a foot to send the ball into Bialkowski’s arms off the Brentford sub.

With nine minutes remaining Kieffer Moore replaced an increasingly Lawrence, who never looked like hitting the heights of his performances prior to his enforced two-match break.

Town came close to winning it in the 87th minute when Skuse, Bru and sub Moore exchanged passes on the edge of the area and the Bristolian, who had been Town’s best player on the day, found himself in unfamiliar territory, in on goal inside the box. However, Bentley was able to claim his low effort at goal as he stretched.

Neither side threatened in four minutes of injury time and Town’s fourth match in succession ended 1-1. The Blues last drew four games in a row during a run which eventually reached five early in the 1992/93 season.

On the balance on the second half, which the Bees dominated, Town will have been happier a not overly exciting game ended level.

The Blues, who surrendered a lead for the fifth time in the last six games, never hit the heights of the performances against Reading and Leeds.

Town are now without a defeat in their last six games but have won only once in their last 10 in all competitions.

There were few chances at either end with both sides really having one serious chance in the second half, the Canos opportunity cleared off the line by Kenlock for the Bees and the Skuse's for Town.

The result sees Town climb one place to 15th, still nine points from the relegation zone, ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Wolves.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Kenlock, Skuse, Ward (Diagouraga 57), Huws (Bru 71), Lawrence (Moore 81), McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, T Smith, Pitman, Sears.

Brentford: Bentley, Colin, Bjelland (c) (Barbet 56), Yennaris, Egan, Woods, Sawyers, Vibe (Shaibu 72), Henry, Jota, Canos (Jozefzoon 69). Unused: Bonham, Kerschbaumer, Clarke, Cole. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland). Att: 15,863.

Photo: TWTD

blue75 added 17:21 - Mar 4 That game was an advert for renewing your season ticket left at 1630 god awful game. You've gotta play to win at home not play for the draw!!!
25

iaintaylorx added 17:21 - Mar 4 Boring point to be honest, just want this season to be over. Another mid table finish.
19

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:22 - Mar 4 Pop. Lol.
0

unknown100 added 17:23 - Mar 4 Seems to be a bit of a 1-1 trend, dissapointing that we always seem to go in front and then concede, are we sitting on 1-0 and inviting the equaliser?
9

jcITFC added 17:23 - Mar 4 Pleased with previous performances but not the results to match unfortunately. Feels like we take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Prior to February we were 10 points off relegation, now we sit 9 points off after our 'change of form' throughout February.
12

shakytown added 17:24 - Mar 4 Absolutely no ambition at all left in the club. Manager had only a draw on his tiny little mind at half time. Wish we had lost as Brentford were the only side even interested in winning. Just leave you worthless inept dinosaur.
23

Spanishblueblood added 17:25 - Mar 4 Skuse, nuff said. Mick out!
8

cromwellblue added 17:29 - Mar 4 February is over, normal service resumed
7

battyblue added 17:30 - Mar 4 McCarthy boring one point wonder Dino out just leave
18

prebsa added 17:32 - Mar 4 Another draw. Micks favourite result! We just keep playing for draws. Mick sets us up not to loose in the hope that it will win back supporters. The football is still boring and we are still awful at defending. Chambers again with another well below average game. Moore coming on upfront again after offering nothing the last few times he has come on, again offering nothing today. Why do we leave people like Pitman on the bench who have more of an impact from the bench. We are still going nowhere. While we may have stoped loosing we are still hard to watch and don't look like doing much else. Mark me down if you will but nothing will change while Mick is still here. Mick out

26

Bluetone added 17:32 - Mar 4 Gosh what a thrilling game. I bet that will add thousands to the season ticket renewals.
18

TimmyH added 17:33 - Mar 4 All in all a disappointing display and Brentford will feel aggrieved not to come away with all 3 points, for various reasons a few of our players including Lawrence just didn't show up today . So much for the good performances of late (though Norwich wasn't) it doesn't mean nowt if you start failing the litmus tests of Brentford and next Wolves at home. Including the Lincoln game we have only won 1 of the last 10, 28.5% win percentage this season which just isn't good enough. Nothings changed for me hopefully Mick will resign in the summer.

25

Bluesquid added 17:34 - Mar 4 Mick desperately needs a win on Tuesday but no, not for the club or the fans but for himself so he can continue with the bs and try to backup why he think's he's such a great and knowledgeable manager and how a section of the fan base have got it so wrong. Mick out!
16

jas0999 added 17:38 - Mar 4 Two below average teams, playing out a below average draw with below average entertainment. No doubt Mick will be delighted with a point and extending our unbeaten run, but in truth the Norwich game was very negative and boring, as was this, Okay, it's good not to lose, but this season has been a big disappointment, summed up by this latest display. Loan players continue to make the difference and largely scoring the goals. If we fail to sign any of them, then sadly the future doesn't look overly promising. Bigger picture is just TWO wins in thirteen attempts in 2017. Evans, Mick and some fans will no doubt be happy with that. Personally I think it's extremely poor. The manager would be sacked at most clubs. Disappointed.

30

BillBlue added 17:38 - Mar 4 Can anyone suggest why that bl---y idiot insists on playing Scuse instead of Dave (can't spell his real name) and never, ever, subs him?
17

bluelady added 17:51 - Mar 4 Bill blue do you honestly think Dave gave him any reason to play him today I thought he was slow stagnant and gave us nothing... what terrible subs by Mick yes take off Lawrence he didn't show up today but bring on sears a like for like! I'm hoping the ward change was an injury? We basically took off all playmakers and defended a point, not good enough. Moore doesn't look like he is anywhere near championship level, yer our fox in the box pitman yet again left on the bench. Odd tactics. Brightside I thought Berra was back to his best, Ward really suits that position and was great and I cannot understand why Spence has it seems not been given much of a chance in the past I really like him.

6

Norwichbeater added 17:52 - Mar 4 Absolutely appalling. Ashamed to be itfc supporter today. Again taken kids and let down. Appalling tactics.
13

BillBlue added 17:57 - Mar 4 bluelady - so you do not like Dave and think he should not be in the team, am I right?
0

powinswitch added 17:58 - Mar 4 Disappointing performance today after the promise of February. Biggest negatives for me today were the subs. We took off 3 attack minded creative players and brought on players who were not as positive. Certainly surprised not to see Pitman today. Thought many had an off day today, particularly our more creative players. Pleasantly Surprised to find myself typing this, but thought Jonas was Man of the Matvh today. I also thought Skuse had a better game than his average today, but I still believe a midfield of Dave, Huws and Ward is collectively our best option.

10

bluelady added 18:02 - Mar 4 Billblue I don't dislike him but on today's performance Skuse was by far the better player imo
6

carsey added 18:02 - Mar 4 That was God awful and anyone who says otherwise is deluded. In what world is McCarthy living when he still selects Scuse ahead of "Dave" who has been excellent when starting. Kevin Bru who has one gear which is slow replacing Ward when what was needed was Sears who would have at least chased them around. I also want to know why we have everyone back for corners which leaves us with no out ball if we win it. The Brentford keeper was on the half way line when they had a corner because there was no threat. Everything is so slow and we retreat and retreat. Sooner McCarthy clears off the better.

14

dukey44 added 18:03 - Mar 4 The game sums up our club whilst Micks STILL HERE!! Boring and no ideas or plan B or C so why is he still !!!!
9

martin587 added 18:08 - Mar 4 OK!we managed a point,but this really was a bore draw.It just seems we have gone backwards again.Nothing at all to offer throughout the team.Just happy to plod on and making sure we don't win and don't loose. As some have already said if this is an advert to promote season tickets for next season.then forget it. I just cannot see any improvement or what the direction for this club is next season.It is becoming very worrying indeed. Someone has to get this club by the scruff of the neck and shake it out of the dulldromes or we will be in Serious trouble. I cannot see any of our Loan players wanting to sign for the club next season and this is another very big worry. The only thing that pleased me today was another drive home without loosing,and that's about it.

9

Surco72 added 18:09 - Mar 4 Taking off our seasons two top scorers for another defensive midfielder and a failed non league striker says it all about MM in a meaningless mid table game . Why no Pitman , Sears , Dozzell on bench ? Would rather MM go and give new manager more time to look at his players ahead of next season and summer transfer window because if we keep plodding on like this ticket sales will be dreadful

11

Bert added 18:11 - Mar 4 Poor game, poor passing, poor possession and poor ref. Nothing to get excited about except that we didn't lose. Lawrence was well contained and the subs offered very little. I don't know why Skuse has been singled out by some, to me he had a better game than most. Even Bart was off colour!
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