Derby 0-0 Brentford: Stalemate at the iPro

New boss Steve McClaren was denied back-to-back home wins by a battling Brentford side who deservedly held Derby to a goalless draw at the iPro Stadium.

There were few chances on a damp night in the east midlands but Derby twice had goalkeeper Scott Carson to thank for smart saves while substitute Johnny Russell was denied by a goalline clearance.

Tom Ince also went close for Derby near the end but Brentford more than deserved to bounce back from Saturday's defeat at Newcastle with a point.

Derby went into the game on the back of a serious injury to 20-year-old on-loan striker James Wilson who has returned to Manchester United after damaging a knee in training on Monday.

The home side created the first opening in the 18th minute when Matej Vydra caught Ryan Woods in possession and played in Ikechi Anya whose angled shot went behind for a corner and when Brentford only half cleared the ball, Ince fired just over from 15 yards.

Brentford responded with a strong run and cross from Sam Saunders which Romaine Sawyers headed wide from 10 yards before Derby made a change in the 24th minute with Craig Bryson replacing Will Hughes who had been moving awkwardly for several minutes.

Brentford went close again in the 68th minute when Scott Hogan fired into the side netting from a tight angle but Derby nearly scored a minute later when Russell's shot was cleared off the line by Andreas Bjelland after Christie had crossed from the right.

The game was opening up and Derby were inches away from scoring in the 82nd minute when Anya went past three blue shirts on the left and drove in a low cross which Ince just failed to connect with as he slid in.

Anya made another strong run but Brentford's defence stood firm and the visitors went close in stoppage time when Hogan could not quite get a shot away after a cross had been touched on.

Derby boss Steve McClaren:

"The first half was too slow, no tempo and a little too safe. But we've got to play football with these players, they are football players, we can't play long ball.

"At times they are making mistakes but that will progress and will get better and I had no faults apart from in the final third where we needed that bit of magic.

"A draw was probably a fair result, we huffed and puffed without blowing the house down."

Brentford head coach Dean Smith:

"I don't know if we deserved to win but we certainly deserved a penalty. It was a blatant penalty, there was contact from behind with legs and there was also a pull on the shoulder as well.

"It was a double whammy and how it's not given I don't know. I think their bench was embarrassed it wasn't given as well."

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