David Stockdale keeps Brentford at bay in entertaining goalless draw
Brentford and Brighton shared the spoils in an enthralling Boxing Day clash which ended without a goal, the Bees' first 0-0 draw in 60 games.
The Seagulls had keeper David Stockdale to thank for the point after two full-length saves near the finale of an end-to-end affair that was a credit to both sides.
He kept out Jake Bidwell's flying header from an Alan Judge cross to the far post on 78 minutes and then repeated the feat five minutes later as the hosts went for the win.
Judge was the man thwarted this time, his neat turn and curling drive from the edge of the box finding the keeper's fingertips.
But substitute Philipp Hofmann should have won it for the Bees late on when he headed straight at Stockdale when he had time to bring it down and pick his spot.
Brighton showed why they have drawn six of their last seven away games with a defensive display of gritty resolve, constantly looking to play on the break.
But it was the Londoners who looked the more likely to take the points despite a cat-and-mouse first half of few clear-cut chances.
Lasse Vibe fired over the bar seven minutes in and Ryan Woods saw a grasscutter fizz straight into the relieved keeper's hands as both midfields restricted their opponents to long-range efforts.
John Swift sent a speculative effort just wide of the woodwork as both teams successfully mastered a swirling wind to turn in some superb passing football and any suggestion it would be the Bees' first goalless draw at home in more than a year looked like a long shot.
The game opened up after the break and a goal looked more and more likely, Judge a constant threat in the Brentford midfield and Rajiv van La Parra tormenting Nico Yennaris down the left flank.
Brighton's only real clear-cut chance came on 53 minutes when Tomer Hemed fed Jamie Murphy wide on the left but he skied his first time effort over the angle when he had more time.
Brighton survived a penalty shout on 67 minutes when Vibe was felled in the box by Dale Stephens, but the referee evened things up late in the second half when he waved away Albion protests after James Tarkowski tangled with Elvis Manu in the area.
Judge, playing wide on the right, cut inside midway through the half but his rasping angled drive was palmed to safety by Stockdale.
That was the beginning of a late surge of pressure from the Bees, but in the end both defences were too disciplined to allow any of the free-flowing football in the middle of the park to end in a goal.
Source: PA
