Brentford's indifferent start to the season continued with a goalless draw with lowly Stoke City at Griffin Park.

Stoke's Peter Etebo should've stole the points at the death but goalkeeper David Raya spared his defenders blushes ina  one-on-one.

The stalemate stretched Stoke's winless run in the capital to 24 games and meant it was the first time they had failed to win any of their opening eight league matches since 1989.

A deadlock always looked the most likely outcome with Stoke lacking any real ambition and a nervy Brentford side looking predictable in the build-up.

A dire first half saw Brentford's Christian Norgaard come closest when he slammed a far-post header over the angle when it looked easier to score.

Stoke looked comfortable sitting deep, inviting on pressure, breaking the game up with a string of delaying tactics that incensed the Griffin Park crowd.

The only highlight in a game that was as dull as the sun was bright was the Bees' Spanish winger Sergi Canos, who looked urgent and the only real goal threat.

Neither goalkeeper had a serious shot to save, Etebo going closest for the Potters on 15 minutes when Tom Ince fed him on the edge of the box but his arrowed drive was always rising.

The retruning Saed Benrahama was largely anonymous throughout in a Bees midfield that lacked creativity and cutting edge.

Canos caused most of the problems for a dogged City rearguard, but as the second half wore on Stoke grew in belief.

Danny Batth and Bruno Martins Indi both saw headers go close before Etebo caught Pontus Jansson napping in possession on 82 minutes.

The midfielder had Raya to beat but the keeper reacted quickly to snuff out the threat.

The draw moved Stoke off the bottom and also moved Brentford, who are struggling for goals since the departure of Neal Maupay, up a place in the table.