Tom Adeyemi said it was “really disappointing” to concede a “clearly offside” goal in Brentford’s FA Cup with Budweiser draw against Southend United.
The Bees will face a replay in the Third Round tie after drawing 2-2 in Essex.
Brentford seemed to be heading for the Fourth Round when they were 2-1 up early in the second half and had weathered a few storms from the home side.
But when Kevan Hurst delivered a free kick from the right and Brentford stepped out en masse, leaving the Southend attackers offside, Barry Corr headed home from 12 yards and assistant referee Mathew Bounassisi kept his flag down.
Despite appeals from the Brentford defenders, a goal was awarded and it gave Southend a replay.
“At the time I thought it was definitely offside,” said Tom, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“That is something we work on, everyone squeezing up and we all did it, no-one was left in.
“They didn’t have a runner from deep, he was in there.
“At the time, common sense said he was offside.
“Some have seen it and said it was at least six yards off.
“It is really disappointing to lose a goal in that way and, ultimately, that is that cost us the win.
“We would hold our hands up if it went wrong, if someone had not been aware and not done it.
“We did it to perfection, that is the really disappointing thing.”
Tom said he felt Brentford were in control of midfield when the Southend second goal came after an even first half.
Brentford had gone 2-0 up, with Tom scoring his first goal for the Club, but Southend scored seconds after The Bees had taken their two-goal lead.
Tom said Brentford’s players believe they did enough to win the game and knew before the start they would have to battle to progress.
He said the replay would be tough but he hoped Brentford could do as they did against Bradford City, an npower League Two side like Southend, in the Second Round and win the second match after drawing a tough game away from home.
“I thought it was fairly even in the first half and, maybe, we were fortunate to be two goals up,” said Tom.
“They nicked a goal straight after we scored, which was disappointing.
“We came out in the second half and got control of the midfield battle.
“I thought only one team would win the game but the second goal killed us.
“Either team could have won it.
“We feel we did enough to come away with the win.
“The overriding feeling is one of disappointment.
“Southend are a physical team, it was a battle in midfield but we feel we had the better of it overall.
“We knew the game would hinge on whether we won enough second balls in midfield.
“They are a tough team to play against.
“It will be another tough game at Griffin Park but hopefully, like against Bradford in the last round, we can get through.
“We knew it would be a battle rather than a day we could play lots of football, although we had some nice combinations.
“Hopefully we can get it down and play at home.”
Tom said it was pleasing to get his first Brentford goal and he hoped there would be more to come.
“The ball came in from Paul Hayes, Sam Saunders left it, he must have been aware I was coming in behind,” said Tom.
“It is really pleasing to get my first goal.
“It has been too long coming, hopefully there will be a few more.
“I class myself as a box-to-box midfielder.
“I get around the pitch and I should be able to pop up every now and then with a goal.
“I will try and get into those positions.”
Ryan Cresswell headed a Sam Saunders cross in to his own net to double Brentford’s lead but Southend scored almost from the kick off.
“It was a bad time to concede a goal,” said Tom.
“You would like to think we could go 2-0 up and control the game from there.
“It was disappointing to concede that goal.
“But that wasn’t the one that cost us the game.
“We don’t like make excuses, maybe we should have done enough to make it safe by that point and it shouldn’t have made a difference.
“But it doesn’t help and there is nothing we can do.”
More than 1,300 Bees fans made the trip to Essex for the tie and Tom was full of praise for them.
“The fans were outstanding, with the number that turned out and how vocal they were,” he said.
“It does make a real difference and spurs the players on.
“In the end I’m disappointed we couldn’t reward them with the win.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Tom Adeyemi here.