Hakon Valdimarsson was the hero for Brentford after saving an 82nd-minute penalty to give them a controversial 1-0 win at Colchester in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
With England striker Ivan Toney missing again this week amid further speculation about his future, Thomas Frank watched as Keane Lewis-Potter controversially put the visitors ahead just before half-time.
Sky Bet League Two club Colchester wanted to call a foul for Kevin Schade’s shove on Aaron Donnelly, but referee Paul Howard did not penalise and Lewis-Potter was able to score the first goal.
In the 77th minute, fans in the south stand of the JobServe Community Stadium were asked over the loudspeaker to stop their “racist, homophobic and sexist chants”.
Four minutes later, Colchester were awarded a penalty, but Valdimarsson blocked Jack Payne’s low shot with his foot to send the Premier League club into the third round.
Brentford manager Frank had promised expensive summer signings Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho a debut in Colchester, but Toney was again missing from the squad.
Icelandic goalkeeper Valdimarsson was also allowed to start for the first time and experienced some nervous moments at the start as he had to contend with Donnelly’s long throw-in, which Tom Hopper narrowly missed.
After a good start from Colchester, Brentford came into the game better and only an excellent block from Ben Goodliffe prevented a goal from Carvalho midway through the half after good work from right-back Ryan Trevitt.
Lewis-Potter’s influence on the left also began to grow and he headed wide from a corner before Carvalho fired the ball straight into Matt Macey’s mouth from 20 yards.
At half-time it looked like it would be a goalless draw, but Brentford broke the spell in controversial fashion just before half-time.
Schade was involved in a duel with Donnelly, who fell to the ground in the penalty area after apparently being pushed. But the game continued and the Brentford striker was able to set up Lewis-Potter for an easy goal.
Colchester were stunned as boos echoed through the stadium and home coach Danny Cowley vented his emotions on the sidelines.
Chants of “1-0 to the referee” followed as Howard left the field after Cowley had led his players away from the referee.
The highly heated atmosphere was defused by two injury-related suspensions to impressive players Bradley Ihionvien and Milton Oni.
Ihionvien continued and was shown a yellow card with 19 minutes left when he reacted angrily after a tussle with last man Ben Mee did not result in a free kick.
This was followed by shouts of “The referee is a racist” from the noisy south stand in Colchester.
Supporters in the area were told to stop their “racist, homophobic and sexist chants” after a police officer spoke to fourth official Ruebyn Ricardo.
Colchester were awarded a penalty when Frank Onyeka brought down substitute Mandela Egbo.
Referee Howard immediately pointed to the penalty spot, but Colchester’s joy was short-lived as Payne’s penalty in the middle was saved with his feet by Valdimarsson, who proved to be the Bees’ hero.
