Extra-time: Exeter 0 Brentford 0

Exeter 0 Brentford 0

Brentford dominated the second half but were unable to find a way through as their EFL Cup first-round clash went to extra-time.

There was an injury concern for the Bees early on when Alan McCormack limped off, to be replaced by Ryan Woods.

The game was largely devoid of goalmouth action until late in the first half, when Philipp Hofmann headed a corner wide of the far post and Josh Clarke drew a comfortable save from Exeter keeper Bobby Olejnik.

Woods went closest to breaking the deadlock on 64 minutes as he fired just past the post, while at the other end Exeter substitute David Wheeler volleyed over and Ollie Watkins’ shot from 25 yards was saved by Jack Bonham in the Bees goal.

The hosts named 15-year-old Ethan Ampadu, son of former Leyton Orient man Kwame, in their starting line-up, and the Grecians’ youngest-ever player looked very composed.

But Brentford made most of the running as the game went on and Emmanuel Ledesma, making his competitive debut after signing on non-contract terms earlier in the day, saw a free-kick saved by Olejnik, while Sam Saunders shot into the side netting.

However, despite five minutes of second-half stoppage time, neither side could find a winner, forcing extra-time.

Brentford: Bonham; Holldack, Dean, Egan, Field; Yennaris, McCormack (Woods 12); Clarke, Saunders, Ledesma; Hofmann (Hogan 76).
Subs: Bentley, Elder, Cole, Kerschbaumer, Shaibu.