MIDDLESBROUGH extended their unbeaten run to six games as they claimed a hard-earned point at Brentford.

The Teessiders claimed the lead midway through the first half as Adama Traore drilled home from just outside the area.

However, they were pegged back when Lewis Macleod equalised for Brentford 11 minutes before the break, and were indebted to Darren Randolph, who produced three excellent saves to secure a point.

Brentford were reduced to ten men when substitute Romaine Sawyers was dismissed in stoppage time, but Boro were unable to take advantage of the late dismissal.

The result keeps Boro in sixth position, but Bristol City’s win over Ipswich means they now boast just a one-point cushion to the edge of the play-off zone.

With Daniel Ayala having recovered from the groin injury that had been plaguing him all week, Tony Pulis was able to name an unchanged starting line-up. That meant skipper Grant Leadbitter finding himself on the substitutes’ bench as he returned from suspension, with Pulis keeping Adam Clayton in his starting side.

Boro went into the game having picked up 13 points from their previous five games, but it was Brentford who started the stronger.

With the Teessiders playing into the face of a bitterly cold wind and sporadic snow showers, Brentford created the first opening of the afternoon in the ninth minute. Florian Jozefzoon delivered a dangerous cross into the middle, but Ben Gibson produced a crucial flicked clearance to prevent Neal Maupay from directing a header at goal.

Maupay was a lively presence throughout, and the Bees striker should really have done better shortly after as he fired over the crossbar after swivelling neatly on the edge of the six-yard box.

Boro had created nothing at that stage, but the visitors gradually began to get a foothold midway through the first half and fashioned their first opportunity when Stewart Downing delivered a dangerous cross from the left. Chris Mepham’s poor touch enabled Jonny Howson to gain possession, but his low shot was saved by Daniel Bentley.

One minute later, though, and the Teessiders were celebrating the lead. Having picked up a loose ball on the left-hand side, Traore drove across the face of the area.

He was twice forced to check by his opponent, but he chose his moment perfectly before drilling a fierce right-footed finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Traore went close again moments later, forcing Bentley to get down to save, but Brentford quickly recovered from their concession and continued to ask questions of the Boro defence.

Mepham headed a corner well wide at the front post, before Maupay laid the ball off to enable Macleod to drill in a deflected strike that was tipped over by Randolph.

That was a decent save, but Randolph was unable to prevent Macleod from levelling things two minutes later.

The Brentford midfielder’s initial strike was blocked by Ayala, but the ball rebounded to his feet and he drilled a fierce low finish past Randolph’s left hand.

The Boro keeper was involved again shortly before half-time, claiming Maupay’s drive after the striker played a neat one-two with Ollie Watkins.

The game became much more open after the break, with both sides committing more men forward in search of a winner.

Boro created the first opportunity of the second period, but Patrick Bamford failed to extend his recent scoring spree as he fluffed an attempted volley at the back post following a floated free-kick from Stewart Downing.

Bamford turned provider moments later, teeing up Traore for a shot that flew over, and Maupay also failed to find the target with a decent opportunity at the other end as the game continued to ebb and flow.

Pulis was forced into a change on the hour mark, with Dael Fry coming on to replace Ayala, and opted for a second alteration five minutes later, with Grant Leadbitter replacing Howson.

Randolph got down well to save from Brentford substitute Sergi Canos, and Pulis made his final switch with 15 minutes left, bringing on Britt Assombalonga for Mo Besic and going with two players up front.

However, it was Brentford who came closest to a winner, with Randolph producing a fine late save to keep the scores level.

Substitute Sawyers’ driven low effort was creeping into the bottom corner, but Randolph got down brilliantly to tip the ball around the post.

Sawyers was sent off in stoppage time, with referee Simon Hooper handing him a second yellow card as he blocked off a rampaging Traore, but the dismissal came too late for Boro to take advantage.

Leadbitter came close to claiming a winner deep into stoppage time, but his goalbound chip was tipped over by Bentley.


Brentford (4-1-4-1):  Bentley; Dalsgaard, Egan, Mepham, Clarke; Woods; Jozefzoon, Macleod (Sawyers 74), Mokotjo (Judge 83), Watkins (Canos 67); Maupay.

Subs (not used): Daniels (gk), Yennaris, Marcondes, Barbet.

Middlesbrough (4-1-4-1): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala (Fry 60), Gibson, Friend; Clayton; Traore, Besic (Assombalonga 75), Howson (Leadbitter 65), Downing; Bamford.

Subs (not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Cranie, Baker, Harrison.