Draw drops Us into trouble
   Oxford dropped into the relegation zone after Derek Lilley's opener was cancelled out by Lloyd
   Owusu in the 1-1 draw at the Manor Ground.
   Brentford's livewire winger Owusu struck just a minute after the restart to level matters after
   that Lilley goal on 42 minutes.
   Both sides had chances in an eventful first half, Paul Powell's jinking run after being sent away
   by Eddie Newton after just five minutes almost gave the Us a precious lead, his curling
   right-footer as he cut in though, flew inches wide.
   Scott Partridge responded for the Bees mid-way through the half when he raced to the edge of
   the box and forced a good stop from home keeper Richard Knight.
   Knight then had to be alert again just moments later when Gareth Graham's volley from a
   corner was well saved by the Us number one.
   Lilley thought he'd lobbed Oxford into the lead when he tried to lift the ball over Andy Woodman
   after good work from Nigel Jemson on the half hour, but the ball drifted just over.
   Then came Lilley's breakthrough for the home side just three minutes before the break. Powell
   was once again the provider from the left cutting the ball across for the Scot to fire in from
   close range.
   The Bees must have had a blasting from Ron Noades at half-time as they came out fired up and
   responded in the best possible manner when Owusu slotted home within a minute of the restart.
   Chances were few and far between in the second period, although both Powell and Matt Murphy
   came close for the Us who will feel this was two points lost rather than one gained.
   Oxford drop into the relegation zone following Cardiff's shock victory over Oldham at Boundary
   Park.
   The Us are three points from safety on 39, level on points with Scunthorpe who also lost, while
   bottom club Chesterfield are now relegated following their defeat.

BRENTFORD OFFICIAL SITE

The Bees made 2 changes from the side that lost to Millwall for the trip to the Manor Ground.
David Theobald replaced Ijah Anderson and Paul Evans returned following suspension replacing
the injured Martin Rowlands.
Oxford who desperately required the full three points to help them in their fight against relegation
opened the brighter and after 5 minutes Paul Powell turned Robert Quinn on the edge of the area
and curled a right footed effort just wide of the right hand post.
The Bees then put the home side under pressure when a twenty-yard effort from Scott Partridge
on eight minutes was brilliantly turned over the bar by keeper Knight. A minute later a short
corner was played to Paul Evans whose resultant cross was met by Gareth Graham but again the
keeper made a great save,
In the 13th minute a Scott Marshall ball was played to Partridge on the edge of the box, his
20-yard strike was saved low down by Knight. Three minutes later a free kick inside the Oxford
area was blocked and cleared.
Midway through the half, Partridge drove wide from 20 yards.
Oxford’s first effort, on target that is, came on 32 minutes. But Powell`s effort was easily saved
by Andy Woodman.
The home side took over the initiative and after 35 minutes Nigel Jemson ran clear in the box.
Woody made a fine save and the ball ran clear to Derek Lilley and his effort was tipped over by
Woody. Two minutes later Matt Murphy’s effort was blocked by the confident Woodman.
Lilley was booked after 39 minutes when he stamped on Graham. Three minutes later from a
break, the home side took an undeserved lead when Lilley fired home left footed from 15 yards.
After the interval, Nevin Saroya made his League debut when replacing the injured Graham.
Within the minute the Bees were level.
Andy Scott crossed from the left and the ball was missed by a home defender and found it’s way
to Lorenzo Pinamonte who headed it back goal wards, The keeper got his hand to it and pushed
it against the crossbar and Lloyd Owusu was well placed to run in and send a shot high into the
back of the goal, for his 13th of the season.
Owusu was then taken sick on the pitch, but spurned the chance to be replaced, only to be
booked in the 51st minute.
A minute later a mistake by Saroya let in Murphy but his shot was blocked by Darren Powell on 64
minutes. Evans curled a free kick just wide of the right hand post.
The Bees made two more substitutions in the final 15 minutes…Tony Folan make a welcome
appearance back in the side, and replacing Owusu, whilst Ivar Ingimarsson came on for Theobald.

Woodman made two fine saves in the second half, blocking Murphy’s effort in the box and tipping
over Paul Tait`s 30 yard drive, to have a fine game in goal.
Bees line up:
Woodman, Quinn, Marshall, Powell, Theobald (Ingimarsson), Graham (Saroya), Evans, Scott,
Owusu (Mahon), Pinemonte, Partridge. Subs not used: Glass & James.
Bees fans : 621
Referee: Steven Tomlin
Bees Man of the Match: Scott Marshall

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