Rosler off as Donaldson rescues a point

A Clayton Donaldson screamer barely seconds into the second half earned Brentford a point away to a high flying Notts County.

Brentford manager Uwe Rosler was comically sent to the stands mid way through the first half as the former Manchester City player blocked off the impressive Alan Sheehan as the left back prepared to take a free-kick on the half way line.

Shortly after the incident Notts County, deservedly, if yet controversially opened the scoring as Karleigh Osbourne apparently fouled Alan Judge in the penalty box. Jeff Hughes stepped up to take the resulting penalty, expertly beating Richard Lee, with a classy penalty into the top corner.

Seconds into the second half Donaldson brilliantly levelled with a long range effort giving no chance in the County goal. Both sides missed their one glorious chance to steal the three points as Neil McGinn missed when one on one for Brentford and sub Sam Sodje blazed over when well placed late on for County.

Martin Allen's County were the better side, however their real lack of threat in behind a solid Brentford defence was their undoing, as neither Lee Hughes or Ben Burgess got on the wrong side of a defence well marshalled by the impressive Miguel Llera. It wasn't until sub Sodje came on, ironically whose usually a centre back that they got in behind.

Brentford came into the game with a reputation as a side who perform better away from home and with Notts County flying in the top six of League One, the game was a battle of two play off hopefuls.

County were by far the better side early on and Sheehan was a consistent threat down the left hand side. His ability to beat a man coupled with some perfect crosses caused Brentford problems through out the first half.

A game full of controversy had its first real talking point after 20 minutes as Jonathan Douglas was perhaps lucky to avoid at least a caution as his reckless tackle on Neil Bishop.

The incident saw both sets of players lose their temper, and temper's boiled over slightly as the Brentford manager Rosler refused to move as Sheehan prepared to take a free-kick. A clearly angered Allen remonstrated by leaving his technical area to barrage Rosler. The referee Mark Haywood was quickly over to send the German to the stands.

With half time approaching, County scored in fortuitous fashion as Haywood incorrectly pointed to the spot. Judge and Osbourne challenged for an arial ball, which the County winger got to first with the follow through causing Osbourne to knock over Judge. Despite the contact it was never a foul, with no County player even enquiring for a spot kick. However Jeff Hughes stepped up and buried the penalty.

Just 20 seconds into the second half the former Crewe man Donaldson, a transfer target for Allen's Notts County in the summer, stunned the Meadow Lane faithful as he curled home from distance to level the scores.

County were rocked and Marcus Bean missed a presentable opportunity to turn the game completely on his head as he headed wide from a corner. The unmarked Bean should have at least forced Stuart Nelson into action.

Lee did brilliantly to twice thwart County in a matter of seconds. Firstly the former Watford keeper bravely beat Lee Hughes to the ball and then reacted superbly to deny Karl Hawley with a save with his legs.

McGinn then missed a sitter for Brentford as one on one he placed wide. Donaldson again was the creator as he picked up on a fall from the otherwise impressive Krystian Pearce and slide through for the on loan Celtic winger, however his finish was poor and never troubled Nelson.

Allen's bold decision to replace Burgess with Sodje, a defender by trait, nearly paid off as the centre back come centre forward should have won the game. After winning the initial header, a mix up in the Brentford defence saw the ball fall perfectly for Sodje, however his finish when well placed was awful.

Neither side threatened a winner in the last five minutes and a point for County saw them stay in fourth, whilst Brentford moved up a place into tenth.

Josh Jones