Jones makes a fair point in tough draw

NATHAN JONES admits he and his players are facing a huge test of character – but reckons this stalemate could prove to be the turning point in Stoke’s disastrous campaign.

Jones’ side are still looking for a first league win and this was only their second point of the season.

But after ending a run of four defeats, the under-pressure boss – who insisted last week he had the backing of the Stoke hierarchy – believes there were grounds for optimism yesterday.

He said: “In the context of the season it is a good point for us. It’s not something that we are screaming about but I am delighted with a point.

“You go through tough times in your career. And you see the character when you come through the tough times.

“Now this is a test of character. It’s been a tough couple of weeks. We are a little bit of a hard luck story because we don’t deserve to be where we are.

“Our performances have been better than our results but we can’t keep saying that forever. This could be a start. It might be a turning point.”

A late save from Brentford keeper David Raya from Peter Etebo denied the visitors the chance of a first league win since April.

The match sparked into life after the break with Stoke sub Danny Baath forced into desperate blocks to deny Henrik Dalsgaard and Said Benrahma.

Jones’s side responded with a Bruno Martins Indi header that Raya did well to save.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “I’m disappointed and frustrated. We looked solid but we didn’t do too much throughout the game.”