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

BillBlue added 18:12 - Mar 4 Thanks bluelady, I haven't been to a match for a lot of years now so have to base my opinions on what people who have been to the match have to say, that is why I asked your opinion. My overall opinion of Scuse (formed by what is said on here) is that Scuse is negative whereas imo we need positivity if we are going to start winning matches. The article above your reply is inferring the same point even when Scuse has had a good match! Sorry.

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blueboy1981 added 18:12 - Mar 4 Told you so - no such thing as a bad point ... !!! After all we were playing BARCELONA at HOME - weren't we .. ?? - or was it little ol' BRENTFORD ... ????? Cr-p performance - set out from the start for another point. Nothing changes with the Dinosaur - and never will.
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therein61 added 18:13 - Mar 4 In previous games Ward played very well beside Toumani now he's the whipping boy because the undroppable Skuse has to play if fit(for what??) I'm sorry but Skuse just brings nothing to the table and stalls any creativity when in the side, I know he's Micks great choice but for me he costs us points by playing people into trouble resulting in hoofball it was noticeable that when he was out we played more on the floor through the midfield and looked dangerous going forward and the football was a lot better, for gods sake Mick leave him out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Cloddyseedbed added 18:16 - Mar 4 Poor defending back again and no midfield. Skuse, Huws and Ward had poor games. I wondered how long it would be before MM coached the goodness out of Huws. Dave is better than Skuse so should be in the team ahead of him. Players really need a big kick up the a*se as they have shown what they can do but obviously can't maintain it. The performance against Norwich showed they were slipping back to old ways and today confirmed it. Always knew Lawrence would be off the pace after 2 weeks layoff. Only seen Moore a few cameo times now but I've seen enough to be sure that I'd be amazed if he made it at this level. Pitman should be ahead of him. All in all a very poor game with Brentford wanting the win more. We just wanted to sit back more and with all midfield and their replacements underachieving today a draw was a better outcome than a loss. Draws aren't good enough though. Huws scored a goal today, that's all he did, the last 2 games he has been very poor, is that why he couldn't get in the Cardiff side?

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blueboy1981 added 18:19 - Mar 4 What happened to the deluded few's prediction of back to back wins by Tuesday .... ?? - exactly what some of us thought, it ain't gonna happen. No such thing as a bad point ........ what a Joke ? - and way past it's sell by date.
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blueboy1981 added 18:21 - Mar 4 ....... bohs' and his crew are deep in thought trying hard to figure yet another excuse before posting - must be getting extremely difficult.
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therein61 added 18:26 - Mar 4 Bluelady if I were Toumani I would wonder what I had done wrong having to watch Skuse on the field in front of him, he played so well(better than Skuse could ever muster) when Micks great one was out injured also his presence in midfield gave Ward the room to express himself which mr negative does not so we are back to Skuse in the team and playing for a point at home and I bet the ineffective so called footballer is first on the team sheet for Tuesday, as he will probably help our great leader pick the side while round his for a beer this evening(oh he's great is Skusey)

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StochesStotasBlewe added 18:32 - Mar 4 Dull, uninspiring performance. Chambers on four occasions gave the ball away in dangerous areas. One serious effort on target all game. Says it all really. Still, some will be happy because we didn,t lose & budgies got stuffed. Personally, i,m pretty p#ssed off with what was served up today. Must do much better.
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therein61 added 18:34 - Mar 4 I belive Mr Skuse is contracted until 2018 with an option!! just sums up the whole bang shoot that our great club has become when players who put their all into a game are left wondering if they are getting offered anything aren't they Mick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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surgery added 18:45 - Mar 4 One word sums it up "disgraceful". Still one needs to take into account the millions that Brentford have spent
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Cloddyseedbed added 18:47 - Mar 4 Good luck to whoever is manager next year with the playing staff he will be left with. Old players past their sell by date but still with contracts. Loan players that were better, gone. Young players who played becoming disheartened by the tactics and selection process maybe wanting to move on. Poor season ticket sales. Probably season tickets going up. Low budget for bringing players in next year, measured in thousands not tens of thousands, or god forbid a million. No money to fix the scoreboard. Crap catering. No half time entertainment. Wonder what next season will bring to us faithful supporters. We deserve far more than what we've been given this season ME.

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bluey123 added 18:55 - Mar 4 Super Mick does it again Chambo the worst C H display for a long time Skusey might as well stayed at home with the exception of Spence and Kenlock very poor Chambers and Skuse should be nowhere near the team McCarty OUT
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LWNR2013 added 18:58 - Mar 4 Dreadful and couldn't wait to leave. Stuck it out til 87th minute. Skuse was my MOM by a mile. Bring on the Wolves 😟
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GiveusaWave added 18:59 - Mar 4 Poor performance, only saving grace is that we are still a full 9 points away from the relegation zone. We should be safe this season, bar a disaster. Spence and Kenlock played ok, but far too much pressure on our defence, midfield just ripped to shreds on occasions. Back to our worst really.
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oldegold added 19:09 - Mar 4 The sign of a good team is a one that is comfortable on the ball and we patently are totally uncomfortable, can't pass to save our lives, incapable of moving forward with a plan and venom. and a mirror image of our manager. First game I have attended this season and we were utter crap and as Roger Osborne said at the Dove Inn last night, our football is dire..and that is putting it mildly. Will not be going to another game as only went on the invitation of the Italian branch. Will not get anywhere with this dull and sterile football and time for McCarthy to go and play the youngsters and not the loanees and start planning for life without him...sooner the better

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JimmyP45 added 19:15 - Mar 4 We were the better team in the first half and then negative Mick goes and makes his usual negative substitutions playing for a draw at home. Brentford were nothing special and the win was there for us to take!
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cat added 19:18 - Mar 4 As soon as the lines up were announced this was so predictable. 6 defensive players for a home match against mid table opposition says it all. Negative tactics/favourites it's so repetitive!!! Feck off DINO
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cat added 19:25 - Mar 4 Forgot to says:- blueboy1981 your prediction was spot on, brave call as well with the adversity on here!!!
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Swn98 added 19:26 - Mar 4 Very disappointing performance from town what happened to the performances of last month? To be fair Brentford played some good football build ups at pace which is something we haven't been able to dofor many seasons thank goodness they haven't got a striker if they had there would be 7 pages of comments by KNUDSEN had solid game as did Spence Kenlock looked bemused at times and should of been subbed with 20 minutes to go as he could hardly jog let alone run at that stage,Chambers had a Mare Ward didn't see much of Lawrence looked off the pace the rest had mediocre games.

1

bluey123 added 19:30 - Mar 4 McCarthys record 1 win in 10 or 4 in 19 that's a brilliant record so all the McCarthy supporters should throw a party to celebrate.
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surgery added 19:35 - Mar 4 Swn98 ?
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Bluetone added 19:36 - Mar 4 Just think McCarthy waking up to a full Yorkshire breakfast and a couple of cups of Yorkshire tea. Then a walk on the Yorkshire Dales a stop at a hostelry and a pint or two of Yorkshire bitter while you regale the locals with tales of all your great achievements. Then home to your Yorkshire home and a Sunday lunch of roast beef, horse radish sauce and Yorkshire puddings with all the trimmings washed down with another glass of Yorkshire bitter. Then an afternoon snooze in your favourite armchair while daydreaming of all your glittering successes most of which are, of course, imaginary. Go on McCarthy go for it I'm certain we will survive extremely well without you.

4

surgery added 19:36 - Mar 4 Swn98 ?
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Geddis78 added 19:39 - Mar 4 Poor game today. No dressing it up any differently and McCarthy was spot on with his after match comments. Believe it or not, and there are clearly many who won't, a performance is not all down to the manager. As hard as it for some to understand, sometimes teams/players play well, sometimes they don't. There is no science nor formula behind it. This was a similar team to the one that did so well against Reading. They played really well then, today they were mediocre. I am interested to know what team the forumites would have played today. The only debate for me was whether Skuse or the Leeds guy started. Perhaps Emmanuelle for Spence, though to be fair to Spence, he did ok today.

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MicksZzzTactics added 19:43 - Mar 4 ZzzTactics here, just briefly pinching in again, from my ehmmm temporary Igloo-exile somewhere near the North Pole (after finally having been exposed as an impostor and life-long Norwich fan here on TWTD! lmao) Soooo the exclusively sincere :-) Super Mick ... nahhhh let me correct that: Beyond Super "Look non-believing Fans! I have turned it around!" Mick .... aka "The Wimpy & Draw-Happy Stubbornosarus Terribilis Rex", now sporting a jaw-dropping 1 win in last 10 record btw lol ... vehemently continueto claim that he quote: "Not only WANTS & SET-UP to win every time", but most importantly once the game is underway "TRIES [his implied: Hardest!] to win every time [nearly]"???!!! and ohhh also adds that this is pretty much 'The Unwavering Way' he always has managed here at ITFC all these predominantly ultra excruciatingly boring years, albeit obviously only after we were mathematical safe from relegation in the 2012/2013 season???!!! Hmmm the staggering full extent of that repetitive hyper bold Von Münchausen tale from MM holds about as much truth to it as the fanciful (and childish!) belief that the Moon is made up of freakin' green cheese!!!!!!!!!!!! And thus anyone among the sadly many many "COMPLACENT" Muppets -- meep! meep! lol -- among our truly wünderbar & unmistakably fickle-minded fans who believe otherwise (especially just based on this recent (but momentarily??? while not quite completely safe still for the most realistic part having very little to play for) slight but notable general improvement of play & formation.Snooze Doggy Douglas-FREE play & formationmind you!!!) seriously need to not only visit an optometrist ASAP, but also get the rest of the upper areas of their blind-faithed & thick head examined as well! "Just saying..." :-) Alas MM & ME out!!! Yesterday, today ... and tomorrow! Period.

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