Gills spoil Toney’s audition

IVAN TONEY’S final audition for a World Cup place could hardly have been more apt as Brentford crashed out of the Carabao Cup 6-5 on penalties to Gillingham. Brentford were leading the League Two strugglers through England hopeful Toney’s early goal, but then sat back and allowed their opponents to come at them in the second half. The Gills duly hauled themselves back into the match when Mikael Mandron’s late header secured a 1-1 draw.

Toney did at least have the chance to showcase his nerveless penalty technique in the shootout one last time before Gareth Southgate names his squad by tucking in his side’s first.

But after 11 successful spot-kicks, Mikkel Damsgaard crashed his effort against the crossbar to give Gillingham an unlikely win and a place in round four.

Toney’s goal came after only three minutes and was probably the simplest of his nine so far this season. Such is his desperation to be at the World Cup, having been in Southgate’s last squad without getting on the pitch, that Bees boss Thomas Frank picked him to face Gillingham to help him ‘fight for his position’. Now all Toney can do is wait for tomorrow’s announcement and hope he has done enough.