Brentford goalkeeper Graham Benstead made a string of fine saves to deny Fulham victory in their Leyland DAF Cup local derby at Craven Cottage tonight.
Benstead made three world class saves in the space of four second half minutes to deny twice Gordon Davies and then Gary Brazil from close range as Fulham flew forward in an attempt to respond to Gary Blissett’s sixth-minute header. The former Crewe forward silenced the Cottage by scoring his sixth goal in as many games from a superb Simon Ratcliffe cross.
Brentford dominated the first half an hour and could have gone further in front but Jim Stannard saved well from Kevin Godfrey before Alan Dicks’ side managed to turn the tide. Benstead’s brilliance looked like it might earn the Bees all three points but Justin Skinner’s deflected free-kick drew Fulham level nine minutes from time. The share of the spoils sees the Whites qualify for the knockout phase, but Dave Webb’s men must beat Leyton Orient in December to progress out of the group stage.
FULHAM: Stannard; Newson, G. Thomas (Milton 65), North, Pike, Morgan, Scott, Brazil, Skinner, Davies, Gray. Subs (not used): Cobb.
GOAL: Skinner (81).
BRENTFORD: Benstead; Ratcliffe (Cash 60), Millen, Evans, Fleming, Cockram (M. Gayle 55), Smillie, May, Jones, Godfrey, Blissett.
GOAL: Blissett (6).
REFEREE: Paul Taylor.
ATTENDANCE: 2,761.
