0-0
First Half
It didn't take long for Brentford to attack the Rovers defence, a long ball for Tillen to chase ran through to Budtz, who went down for it and received a knock from the forward's trailing leg.
The home team then went down to the visitor's half, Price was brought down but the referee waved McCormack on as the ball had run to him. He fired from an angle with Nelson saving at the second attempt.
Minutes later, Tabb, for Brentford, laid the ball back for Newman to fire well wide from 25 yards. On 11 minutes, Fenton was injured when tackling Owusu and was booked for his pains but two minutes later he was substituted by Ravenhill causing a reshuffle in the Rovers defence, Horlock dropping back to central defence. Brentford swept forward and, following a melee in the Rovers area, Owusu's overhead kick was apparently deflected for a corner to the visitors.
On 21 miniutes, McCormack went down the Rovers right and pulled the ball back for Coppinger to run on to and lash it for goal but a brave defender got in the way and blocked it. A fierce battle developed in midfield as the tackles flew in but neither keeper was unduly troubled. On 35 minutes, McCormack showed some neat footwork in a crowded penalty area, swept the ball out to Price on the right, the cross came in to be met on the half volley by Coppinger but again he was denied by a block on the line.
As half time loomed, the Rovers pushed on. Good football put Green down the right, his cross was missed by McCormack and was played in again for Price to stab goalwards but the post got in the way and the ball was cleared. Tabb put a header into Budtz's hands at the other but back roared the Rovers through Fortiune-West, on the left, putting over a cross for McCormack to head straight into Nelson's arms. Then McCormack played Ravenhill in down the inside right channel but his low shot screwed past the far post. The referee then decided that the excitement was getting too much and blew for the break and a hot cup of tea.
Second Half
The Rovers started the second half well. Five minutes in and a long clearance by Lee reached Coppinger on the left. He took the ball on a few yards and sent a shot whistling over the bar from 25 yards. At the other end, a poor clearance fell to Owusu who tried his luck from near the left byline but it went out near the far corner flag. Just before the hour the Rovers gained a couple of corners but nothing came from them.
The Rovers continued to have the bulk of the play but could not capitalise on it. On 69 minutes, Mulligan put a 35 yard free kick wide but at the other end Hutchinson put a close range header into the arms of a grateful Budtz. With 12 minutes left, Marples fired low into the middle, Sodje missed his kick, the ball ran through to McCormack who fired wide from 12 yards. Two minutes later and a good move involving McCormack and Coppinger gave Green the chance to shoot from 25 yards but Nelson saved at the second attempt as McCormack closed in.
As time ran down Brentford sprung to life and won three successive corners, which caused the Rovers fans some anxious moments but the Rovers defence stood firm. As added-on time started, Hutchinson, for the Bees, fired wide and then had another shot parried by Budtz, who dived at Hutchinson's feet as he followed up. Brave goalkeeping indeed. As the final seconds came Green headed over in the last chance of the match.
A goalless draw, the first since the Rovers opening match at Bristol City and a repeat of last season's result. It could and probably should have been three points for the Rovers, who had more of the possession and chances but a point it was at the end increasing their unbeaten run to five games.