91Èȱ¬

League One promotion hopefuls Brentford could muster only a goalless draw with in-form Walsall at Griffin Park.

Dean Smith's play-off chasing Saddlers, who had won six of their previous eight games, almost went behind when Clayton Donaldson's volley grazed the upright.

They were then indebted to keeper Aaron McCarey, with a series of saves to deny Bees striker Marcello Trotta.

James Baxendale had the visitors' best chance when he broke through, but his effort was blocked by Simon Moore.

Having won just one of their last seven league games, Brentford are now five points off top spot, but with two games in hand.

Walsall are a further six points back in ninth, nine points adrift of the play-off places.

Saddlers teenager Ben George played the full 90 minutes on his Saddlers debut after coming in at right-back in place of the injured Ben Purkiss and James Chambers.

Brentford boss Uwe Rosler told 91Èȱ¬ London 94.9:

"It was a very good first half. I think we had nine good chances.

"But, in the second half, our momentum was not really going and we didn't take any opportunities.

"Overall it is two points dropped and disappointing as we did many things right but we didn't score despite me playing an offensive team."

Walsall manager Dean Smith told 91Èȱ¬ WM:

"They're a good team and they've had some decent results here. And we had to weather a storm in the last five minutes of the first half.

"But Aaron McCarey has come back in on loan from Wolves and kept a clean sheet which he deserved.

"We played some good stuff at time and they had to clear one off the line from us too, but it was a fair result in the end."