Southend 2 - Brentford 2

Brentford and Southend battled out a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night, which leaves the Bees unbeaten in eight games.

A patched up Brentford team took the lead twice at Roots Hall but were pegged back both times by goals from Francis Laurent as Southend rescued a point in their fight for League One survival.

The Bees dominated early possession but an injury to Marcus Bean in the first half loosened our grip on the game.

Brentford's first goal came through Charlie Macdonald who netted against his former side in the 21st minute. Laurent equalised shortly after the break but a terrific goal from the talismanic Carl Cort put the Bees back in front - for about a minute.

Brentford ended the game effectively with ten men as Pim Balkestein hobbled around in midfield - with sub Danny Foster finishing at centre back. Karleigh Osborne and Chesney were the Bees other injury victims on the night - although Nikki Bull put in a decent cameo as substitute keeper.

Brentford had a late chance to nick all three points against the odds but Lewis Grabban spurned a one-on-one chance.

Brentford face Bristol Rovers on Saturday and are likely to be forced to field a fairly makeshift eleven.

Bees - Szczesney (Bull), Bean (Hunt), Osborner (Foster), Balkestein, Legge, Weston, Wood, Diagouraga, Cort, Mac, Grabban

Unsused Subs - Blake, Saunders, Ainsworth, Strevens.

Thanks to beesotted for their match reports.

April 16, 2010