BARBET LIFT FOR DAN THE DESPERATE

BRENTFORD saviour Yoann Barbet leapt to the defence of Dan Bentley after goalkeeping blunders halted the Bees’ charge.

He headed in a stoppage-time equaliser to spare the blushes of his team-mate who gifted Reading two goals.

It was a first goal of the season for French defender Barbet, who was teaching his language to local schoolkids last week.

But Bentley, who twice spilled shots by John Swift (above), was responsible for Dean Smith’s 10-man side dropping their first home league points of the campaign.

Barbet said: “Daniel knows he hasn’t had his best game but we managed to get a point so that made it a bit easier for him.”

Josh McEachran felt Reading should also have been reduced to 10 after appearing to be caught in the face during an ugly melee.

Referee Geoff Eltringham booked McEachran and Leandro Bacuna but McEachran said: “I got caught in the face, so I thought that was a red card – and I was surprised I got booked as well.”

Neal Maupay put the Bees ahead but Royals’ Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Swift struck only for Barbet to level.

Reading centre-back Liam Moore revealed Swift and Bodvarsson had agreed to share the goals, with the Icelander very close to reaching the second one as well before it crossed the line.

He said: “Swifty was quick to claim the second goal even though there was some discussion if it was over. So he gets that one and Jon Dadi had the first one – honours even.”