January 2011

Under Griffin Park’s famous old floodlights on a wet and wild Monday night, neither side were able to shine brighter than the other in a 1-1 draw, making their second leg encounter all the more fascinating.

Despite being the away side, Exeter City may be feeling slightly more disappointed overall, ruing a number of chances to add to Jamie Cureton’s fine first half strike.

Brentford keeper Richard Lee defied Daniel Nardiello twice in the first half with a pair of stunning saves, while the former Manchester United youngster also spurned a great chance after some wonderful link-up play with Cureton, shooting first time when well placed.

The half time whistle came at the right time for the Bees, who came out buzzing with enough industry and effort to ensure there was to be a sting in the tail.

Myles Weston showed cool composure when Exeter keeper Paul Jones half cleared a long ball, crossing for Gary Alexender to sweep home.

Weston then nearly completed a remarkable turnaround with a firm header onto the foot of the post, which Richard Duffy eventually cleared at the second attempt.

With all the play for at St James’s Park on Tuesday February 8, the tie couldn’t be more delicately poised.

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale was pleased with his side’s display and looked forward to more twists and turns in the second leg.

"It's a draw and we're evens, and we're now going back to St James Park, so I'm just happy with the way we played,” he said.

"Of course I would have liked to have not conceded the equaliser but so be it and it's going to make a very good second tie.

"We defended very well and we conceded a goal second-half to good pressure from them and we didn't quite deal with it.”

Brentford boss Andy Scott was more critical of his side, who he said were slow to get going in the first half.

"At half-time we made it very clear what was at stake, although I shouldn't have had to do that.

"We were much better in the second-half and showed what we can do. We need to do it for 90 minutes, it's not good enough doing it for 45."

The return leg at St James’s Park will kick off at 7.45pm on Tuesday February 8.

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