Brentford’s hopes of defending their Milk Cup Junior Section title are over after a 0-0 draw against hosts County Londonderry.
In a game of few chances The Bees were frustrated both by their opponents and some of the officiating.
Danny Buck’s side finished the game with ten-men after centre-back George O’Malley was shown a very harsh red card for a late tackle.
With the effects of the third game in as many days starting to take its toll on the players The Bees’ side showed three changes from the previous day’s draw against County Antrim.
That added freshness seemed to work as the side started brightly, Nathan Davis and Malachi Simpson both sounding early warning shots to Jacob Henderson in the Londonderry goal.
At the other end a breakdown in communications between Jordan Carey and George O’Malley saw The Bees concede an indirect-free kick eight yards out. The low shot cannoned off the wall then the post and eventually into the hands of the grateful Carey.
Knowing that they needed a win to have any chance of making the top four, Brentford appeared to be rushing in possession and trying to force passes and moves that didn’t really appear to be on.
As the half went on Brentford became more desperate for the opening goal and that played into the hands of their opponents who came more and more into the game.
Adam Fleming released Conor McGuinness who raced past O’Malley and brought a fine sprawling save from Carey.
McGuinness went close again five minutes later from a short corner, his shot from the edge of the box bouncing just the wrong side of the near post.
Brentford then passed up a golden chance to take the lead as an unchallenged O’Malley glanced a header from Pablo Gonzalez Velasco’s corner wide from eight yards.
The resulting goal kick was returned with interest by Gonzalez Velasco freeing Malachi Simpson, but the winger fired his shot high into the netting behind the goal from the edge of the D.
The Bees were ending the half the stronger but were being restricted to shots from distance as Londonderry’s defence kept things tight in and around their own box.
Romayn Pennant and Davis both firing over the bar from distance before the referee blew his half-time whistle.
It was a similar story in the second-half with Brentford pressing hard but being reduced to efforts from distance and as the minutes ticked by the frustration with the opposition and the officials grew.
Danny Buck introduced fresh legs as the game entered the final quarter of the game and finally The Bees started getting into good positions and creating chances.
Henderson flapped at a Gonzalez Velasco corner and it dropped to Joshua Bohui 15 yards out, his shot cannoned into his own man on the six yard line and was hacked to safety.
Vinny Moli and Kingsley Eshun combined well down the left and fed Gonzalez Velasco whose tame effort from the edge of the box was easy for Henderson in the Londonderry goal.
The final five minutes of the game were played almost exclusively in and around the Londonderry penalty area with The Bees forcing a succession of corners late on.
Kane Lewis had the best of the late chances as the ball fell at his feet seven yards out but three defenders flew out to block his effort.
Brentford’s frustration with the officials was complete in the last minute when O’Malley was dismissed for a late but innocent challenge in the midfield, having seen a Londonderry player receive only a caution for a worse challenge 60 seconds earlier.
With a man advantage Londonderry went searching for a winner in injury time and McGuinness saw a shot blocked seconds before the referee blew the final whistle.
The draw means The Bees finish the group stages unbeaten but finish 9th meaning they will compete in the Vase competition at this season’s Milk Cup.