Bees and Seagulls can't be separated at Gtech

Brentford and Brighton played out a competitive 0-0 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday night - neither side mustering enough quality in the final third to find a matchwinner. 

Both sides tried to impose themselves in the opening 10 minutes, but neither managed to hit their stride, a pressured shot from Brighton's João Pedro failing to threaten the hosts' goal early on. 

A good move from the home side moments later, however, saw Yoane Wissa go close for Brentford after a flowing move - the Congo striker firing wide from Keane Lewis-Potter's cross. 

Although both sides showed flashes of quality that almost unlocked their adversaries at the back, arguably the closest we came to a goal in the first period was when referee Andy Madley ran to the pitch-side VAR monitor to check out a tangle between Wissa and Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk on the stroke of half-time. 

After reviewing the footage, however, the official ruled that Dunk had tugged Wissa prior to being felled and the game remained goal-less at the break. 

Half-time: Brentford 0-0 Brighton

After the interval, the game remained a very even tussle between two well-matched sides - any shots on goal either blocked or well off target. 

Defences were generally on top and a fantastic block from Brighton defender Igor Julio on Toney only served to underline as much midway through the second period, the England international then firing a fierce long range free-kick over the bar. 

With the game's attacking talents failing to spark, Seagulls centre-back Igor took the initiative with 10 minutes remaining, but the Brazilian's fierce drive from the edge of the box whistled wide - sub Julio Enciso then hitting a drive straight down the throat of Brentford keeper Mark Flekken. 

The big question as the game entered its final 10 minutes was: did either side have a heroic matchwinner in their ranks? The answer was No.

That said, Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer did a very good job of denying Brighton a decider - the Norwegian making a fantastic late block to deny Danny Welbeck after some incisive football down the visitors' left. 

Brighton had the better chances to win the match in the latter stages and there was still time for Welbeck to toe poke a fierce drive wide of Flekken's far post after another dangerous break. 

The game ended with a chorus of 'Boring, Boring Brentford' ringing around the away end - and, truth be told, it wasn't the most entertaining affair. 

However, the hosts will be happy with a point that lifts them six clear of the drop zone; Brighton remaining ninth in the top flight after the result.