Charlton Athletic U21s 1 Brentford U21s 1: Young Bees concede late to share the points | OneFootball

Brentford U21s were denied victory late on as they drew 1-1 against Charlton Athletic in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon.

The early goal from Romelle Donovan looked set to secure the three points for the young Bees but miscommunication at the back allowed the home side to level the game. Yunus Emre Konak, Julian Eyestone and Gustavo Nunes rounded out the first-team involvement.

Sam Saunders' side were looking to return to winning ways, following a narrow defeat against Bristol City in their last outing.

Julian Eyestone had to be alert in the early stages of the game as he smothered Emmanuel-Mary Sol-Loza who was through on goal and only had the keeper to beat.

Besides that early scare, the away side began to move the ball comfortably and went close as Riley Owen volleyed from the edge of the box with the goalkeeper making a good save to deny the midfielder.

The breakthrough was found not too long after a period of dominance from the young Bees as the tricky Donovan slalomed his way through a number of challenges before striking a deflected shot which looped over George Hardy.

Reuben Reid did have a chance to level the scoreline as he was played in on goal but he skewed his shot wide.

The home side edged their way back into the game territorially as they conjured up a few chances against Brentford which were managed well by the away side.

Iwan Morgan had a rare sighting of goal after being slipped in by Ollie Shield but the striker's shot inside the penalty area flew over the bar.

Donovan almost grabbed his second of the game as he fired from distance but Hardy got down well to tip the ball round his post.

Second-half substitute Ethan Laidlaw raced clear after a through ball from Donovan but Hardy was in the right place to parry the striker's shot away.

Bradley Tagoe went down the other end, after beating his opponent and struck a firm effort on goal but Eyestone got down well to push round his post.

It seemed certain that the Bees would win the game but miscommunication at the back allowed Tagoe to pounce and score from close range.

The game would end in a draw as the mistake proved costly, with the west London side having to settle with one point.

After two away trips, the young Bees are back at home in their next game as they take on Watford on Saturday 8 November at Wheatsheaf Park. Tickets are available here.

Charlton Athletic: Hardy, Brown, Enslin, Amissah, Hunter, Laqeretabua, Rylah, Safa (Washington-Amoah 79), Sol-Loza (Lock 11), Casey (Tagoe 75), Reid

Unused subs: MacLorg.

Booked: Grey 13, Morgan 57, Stephenson 90+2

Brentford: Eyestone, Shield, McManus, Grey, Stephenson, Konak, Donovan, Owen (Picotto 90+2), Morgan (Laidlaw 72), Bentt (McKnight 78), Nunes (Headman 90+2)

Unused subs: Pierre.

Booked: Brown 57, Enslin 61, Hunter 63

Saunders frustrated with draw as young Bees concede late

Brentford U21s head coach Sam Saunders reflected on a frustrating draw against Charlton Athletic U21s at Princes Park Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

"I sound like a broken record. I feel sorry for the boys because the performance was great but we could not get the result," he said.

"We do have to take our chances though and that is something we have to continue to work on, playing till the final minute.