League One
Sheff UtdSheffield United0BrentfordBrentford0

Sheffield United 0-0 Brentford

Eddie Ilderton

Promotion-chasing Brentford had to settle for a draw in a game which saw referee Eddie Ilderton change his mind about sending off Sheffield United's Kieron Freeman and awarding a penalty.

Freeman was dismissed after he was ruled to have fouled Marcello Trotta.

But, after consulting with assistant Mark Dwyer, Ilderton rescinded the red card and gave a drop ball.

"He got it wrong but he put it right," said Blades boss Nigel Clough. "It takes a lot of courage to do that."

The Bees stay second in League One, five points clear of Leyton Orient.

But there was only one talking point after the game, and Clough praised Ilderton for getting the decision right - eventually.

"He has to be commended for putting it right," the Blades boss said.

"We wish he hadn't got it that wrong in the first place, but he waited in the tunnel and talked to the lads at half-time and said he had a bad angle, so that is absolutely fine, everyone got on with the game. But it was very, very brave and the correct thing to do.

"If he'd have just given himself 30 seconds ... but as long as you get the right decision in the end, that's the main thing."

Brentford manager Mark Warburton called the decision 'bizarre.'

"I have never seen anything like that in my life before," he said.

"The obvious thing to do is just take your time and go over and speak to your linesman and then make your decision.

"But he has brandished the red card and given the penalty and all of a sudden we end up with a drop ball. It was absolutely bizarre, I have never seen anything like it before.

"I haven't seen it again, but the fact of the matter is he has brandished the red card and pointed to the penalty spot."

Brentford had their best chances in the opening 20 minutes as Trotta had a shot blocked while Clayton Donaldson and Toumani Diagouraga put efforts wide.

United's best opportunity came through Billy Paynter, who was brilliantly denied by a last-ditch tackle from James Tarkowski as he was about to put Conor Coady's cross into an unguarded net.

Line-ups

Sheff Utd

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 1Howard
  • 22DaviesBooked at 90mins
  • 28Freeman
  • 17Coady
  • 4Brayford
  • 15Collins
  • 7FlynnSubstituted forKennedyat 90+2'minutes
  • 8Doyle
  • 18PaynterSubstituted forPorterat 59'minutes
  • 14McGinnSubstituted forBaxterat 84'minutes
  • 23Murphy

Substitutes

  • 9Porter
  • 11Baxter
  • 21Scougall
  • 25Long
  • 29Khan
  • 32Kennedy
  • 42Dimaio

Brentford

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 27Button
  • 12McCormackBooked at 40mins
  • 24Bidwell
  • 8Douglas
  • 5CraigBooked at 90mins
  • 26Tarkowski
  • 9DonaldsonBooked at 81mins
  • 4Forshaw
  • 29Trotta
  • 18JudgeSubstituted forDallasat 79'minutes
  • 20DiagouragaBooked at 59minsSubstituted forSavilleat 71'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Lee
  • 6Dean
  • 11Grigg
  • 15Dallas
  • 17Saville
  • 22Reeves
  • 28Yennaris
Referee:
Eddie Ilderton
Attendance:
15,730

Match Stats

Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamBrentford
Possession
Home44%
Away56%
Shots
Home9
Away17
Shots on Target
Home1
Away5
Corners
Home10
Away7
Fouls
Home10
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Sheffield United 0, Brentford 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Sheffield United 0, Brentford 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Chris Porter (Sheffield United).

  4. Post update

    Tony Craig (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  5. Substitution

    Substitution, Sheffield United. Terry Kennedy replaces Ryan Flynn.

  6. Booking

    Tony Craig (Brentford) is shown the yellow card.

  7. Post update

    Conor Coady (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  8. Post update

    Foul by George Saville (Brentford).

  9. Booking

    Ben Davies (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Ben Davies (Sheffield United).

  11. Post update

    Clayton Donaldson (Brentford) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  12. Post update

    Attempt saved. Marcello Trotta (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Stuart Dallas (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Kieran Freeman.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Alan McCormack.

  16. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Ryan Flynn (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Marcello Trotta (Brentford) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.

  18. Post update

    Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Tony Craig.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Sheffield United. Jose Baxter replaces Stephen McGinn.

  20. Booking

    Clayton Donaldson (Brentford) is shown the yellow card.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Wolves40269572254787
2Brentford39249662352781
3Leyton Orient402210872373576
4Rotherham392112673452875
5Preston402015556381875
6Peterborough38184165952758
7Swindon40169155853557
8Walsall401414124541456
9MK Dons40167175654255
10Port Vale40166185466-1254
11Sheff Utd391410154042-252
12Bradford401116135048249
13Coventry401611137069149
14Gillingham39146195163-1248
15Bristol City401016146263-146
16Crawley371113133946-746
17Oldham401111184355-1244
18Colchester391013164453-943
19Notts County40124245469-1540
20Tranmere391010194769-2240
21Carlisle391010193961-2240
22Crewe401010204775-2840
23Stevenage40109214060-2039
24Shrewsbury40814183650-1438
View full League One table