Mepham’s first goal earns Bees a point

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Brentford 1 Sheff Utd 1

Chris Mepham’s first Brentford goal earned them a point at a rain-sodden Griffin Park, where both sides finished with 10 men. 

The young Bees defender drove home midway through the second half to cancel out Chris Basham’s 55th-minute opener for the visitors.

But the aftermath of Mepham’s left-footed strike saw Brentford midfielder Ryan Woods and the Blades’ on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Jamal Blackman red-carded after coming to blows in the goalmouth.

With the ball frequently sticking to the surface, neither side managed to seize control – although both had chances to break the stalemate.

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Bees full-back Henrik Dalsgaard drilled a low 25-yarder to test Blackman, while United’s Billy Sharp might have done better when he failed to finish off two crosses in quick succession.

The Blades made the better start to the second period and went in front after John Fleck’s cross fell for Basham to rifle home from the edge of the box.

Brentford’s equaliser arrived when the visitors’ defence could only half-clear a free-kick and Mepham rifled a left-foot drive into the bottom corner.

But they were indebted to Dan Bentley for preserving a point with late saves to deny Leon Clarke and ex-Bees forward Clayton Donaldson.