Dean Smith felt that a point was the least that his side deserved after Scott Hogan struck late on to rescue a point from this afternoon’s match with Bristol City. The Bees fell behind on the stroke of half-time as Lee Tomlin fired home from the edge of the box. In the second-half Smith’s side found Robins keeper Richard O’Donnell in superb form, the former Walsall man denying Lasse Vibe and Alan McCormack before saving a Scott Hogan penalty late on. However Hogan was not to be denied as he headed home in injury time to secure a point.
Speaking to Bees Player after the match Dean said: “We certainly didn’t deserve to get beaten. We were the better team over 90 minutes. We created more chances that they did and their goalkeeper has made some really good saves to keep them in it. Their goal was a really good finish: Lee Tomlin is a Premier League player on loan and it was a super finish into the bottom corner. We were a little bit sloppy and lost our balance but you have to congratulate them on the finish. We had enough chances to get into the game but we didn’t take them. We got the penalty and you think that it is the chance. Scott struck it well and Richard O’Donnell has made a really good save for them but I am really pleased that Scott has got on the score sheet.”
Hogan’s goal was his first for Brentford and came just four minutes after he had been denied from the spot. The striker only returned from a serious knee injury, which had kept him out for 18 months, last month and Dean said everyone around the club was delighted to see him get his goal.
“Everybody is really pleased for him and pleased for the medical team as well,” said Dean. “It has been a long time to get him back to fitness and there have been ups and downs in those two years as well. It is a great moment for him, the medical team, and everyone who has got him there. I saw him play when he was at Rochdale and he is a goalscorer. That is something that we have been missing a little bit.”
The draw extends Brentford’s unbeaten run to four since returning from last month’s international break. Dean said it was important for the team to keep that unbeaten run up ahead of another home match, this time against Cardiff City, on Tuesday. With five matches remaining this season The Bees manager feels there is a real determination within the squad to finish the season as well as possible.
“It was important not to lose because we didn’t deserve to lose,” said Dean. “It keeps everyone going and shows that there is life while Alan is out injured. It also gives others a chance to show what they are about. It will be nice to get another win at home on Tuesday. It will be a tough game: Cardiff are a big, strong side. We felt like we should have come away from there with something. We are full of confidence at the moment and you can see the drive in the players to finish as high as they can.”
Bees Player subscribers can watch the full interview with Dean below