Terriers gifted Raya hope but Frank still talks a good game
A RUSH of blood from highly rated keeper David Raya dented the Bees’ ambitions of securing an automatic promotion place.
His seventh-minute howler left Thomas Frank’s side with damage to repair – and a scrambled Mads Sorensen effort eventually rescued a point.
But a third consecutive draw means that the lottery of the play-offs is once again on the cards for the club which missed out on the Premier League last season in heartbreaking circumstances.
Frank said: “Watford (in second place) will be saying nothing is over yet. It always feels disappointing not to get three points but you have to handle these frustrations and move on again.
“We need to keep clear heads and keep believing because there’s everything to play for.”
For Huddersfield it was another small step towards securing their Championship future, built on a spirited display by all action midfield battleship Lewis O’Brien.
Boss Carlos Corberan said: “We’re not safe and must fight until the end.
“There are 24 points left and I think we need 12 because it’s a real battle in that part of the table.”
Frank had taken some time off during the international break to recharge his batteries.
But it appeared his much-lauded keeper looked flat in a determined start from the home side.
The Spaniard raced out of his goal as Mads Roerslev slipped on the edge of the area and when the ball came out to the alert O’Brien he calmly took advantage to steer the ball into the gaping goal.
It continued to be a first half of frustration for Frank’s side who were convinced they should have been awarded a penalty when Naby Sarr appeared to handle when challenging Ivan Toney.
A combination of Sarr and keeper Ryan Schofield denied Sergi Canos who had burst into the area, while a Toney flick just evaded Bryan Mbeumo.
The Terriers also looked to have a case for a spot-kick when O’Brien was clipped in the box by Saman Ghoddos.
Sharper after the break Brentford struck when Sorensen managed to apply the final touch after a Pontus Jansson header had been cleared off the line by Sarr.
But the will to survive proved stronger than the scent of the Premier League, although there was a huge let-off for Corberan’s side when Toney, the division’s leading scorer, hammered a rare effort against the post.
Mbeumo also glanced a header wide but Huddersfield hung on as the pressure once again grows on the Bees at the business end of the season.