Brentford 2-2 Blackburn: Bees fight back to salvage point in Championship

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Said Benrahma (right) celebrates his goal for BrentfordImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Brentford forward Said Benrahma (right) netted his 10th goal of the season from the penalty spot to make it 2-2

Promotion-chasing Brentford fought back from 2-0 down to draw against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Adam Armstrong put play-off hopefuls Rovers ahead early on and doubled his side's lead from the penalty spot soon after the break after Bees keeper David Raya had brought down John Buckley.

Ollie Watkins scored a stunning half-volley to pull a goal back for the hosts, and Said Benrahma's spot-kick levelled proceedings at Griffin Park after Mads Roerslev was fouled.

Raya denied Armstrong a hat-trick from a one-on-one situation before Rovers keeper Christian Walton made stops from Bryan Mbeumo and Benrahma as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

Brentford missed the chance to move above third-placed Fulham, while Blackburn would have moved into the top six ahead of the 15:00 GMT kick-offs if they had held on to take all three points in west London.

The Bees started the brighter side but were undone in the 11th minute as Ethan Pinnock misjudged the flight of a long ball forward from Walton, allowing Armstrong in behind the defence to take a touch and calmly lift the ball over Raya.

The Blackburn striker slotted into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half, after referee Tom Robinson penalised Raya for clattering into Buckley as the Spaniard attempted to regather the ball, having saved from Armstrong.

Brentford, playing their final campaign at Griffin Park before moving to a new stadium this summer, were stirred into action and Watkins brought them back into the game with his 21st goal of the season when he chested down Henrik Dalsgaard's long ball forward and smashed a fierce shot into the net from 20 yards.

And the Bees levelled after another soft penalty award, with Roerslev going to ground as he looked to wriggle past Amari'i Bell and Bradley Johnson in the Rovers box.

Benrahma showed composure to roll the ball home to draw the Bees level with 19 minutes left, and the Algerian was denied by the foot of Walton with three minutes remaining as Thomas Frank's side pushed for a winner which they were ultimately denied.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said:

"I'm annoyed we didn't win but immensely proud of the boys for their attitude, the way they stayed together, kept going and worked hard to the end.

"In the end Blackburn looked so tired and that is a huge credit to our team. We have big togetherness even after going behind in the first half when we really should have been in front.

"Not everything was perfect but we produced enough chances to get a goal. Then after conceding a very debatable penalty for their second goal we were relentless, got closer to them and got our reward."

Blackburn Rovers head coach Tony Mowbray said:

"For the majority of the game we managed them pretty well and we know what talented individuals they've got and how they can build pressure.

"We got to the point where the crowd were about to turn on them after a few misplaced passes and then a bit of magic from their centre forward changes things.

"We have frustration about their penalty - it looked ridiculously soft to me. That said, they are a very good football team, well coached and a well-run club but for long spells we were on top, so we leave frustrated and disappointed."

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