By the end, Elland Road was rocking with enthusiasm having shaken with fury for much of a frustrating afternoon when Leeds’ fans took out their anger on referee Jeremy Simpson.
Trailing 1-0 to Neal Maupay’s tenth goal of an impressive Brentford season, Pontus Jansson rose tallest in the 88th minute to head in powerfully a deep free-kick from Ezgjan Alioski.
Such was the level of home frustration, the goal was celebrated like a winner.
Five minutes of added time were played but there was not be one from either side, although Simpson still found the time to send off Luke Ayling for a second yellow.
Some missiles had been hurled onto the pitch after Maupay’s 62nd minute penalty-kick – Ollie Watkins was deemed to have gone down rather easily - and on the final whistle abuse followed.
Marcelo Bielsa stormed off down the tunnel. His opposite number Dean Smith was most definitely the happier manager.
Brentford were the more coherent side with Kamohelo Mokotjo excellent in midfield.
Part of the appeal of both sides this season has been their fluidity of movement and straight from kick-off players interchanged positions, with the Brentford right-back Henrik Dalsgaard up alongside striker Maupay early on.
It made for an open contest, Leeds buzzing as they do under Bielsa, chasing everything. But sometimes they do not get to their destination and one such missed challenge in the 13th minute led to the first chance.
Brentford broke at speed from midfield, Sergi Canos fed Maupay and his shot needed to be tipped away by Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the Leeds goal.
On other occasions Leeds’ players close down correctly but then miss their tackles, which happened twice in the first half, to the home fans’ annoyance.
As Leeds tried to impose home advantage, space was always available to the Londoners and Dean Smith’s bright side understood it.
In the 29th minute only the crossbar prevented Watkins giving the visitors the lead, his deflected shot off Liam Cooper looping over the stranded Peacock-Farrell and hitting the woodwork. The keeper was then brave to thwart Maupay from close range as he followed up.
On the touchline Bielsa’s frustration mounted, revealed when a Ayling-Tyler Roberts combination failed, but as the half-time whistle approached at least Samuel Saiz at last worried Luke Daniels in the Bees’ goal.
Bielsa had to work to do at half-time, although on the re-start it was Brentford again on the front foot. Canos was felled by Jansson, bringing a booking and a dangerous free-kick.
Watkins struck it over but it was another statement of Brentford intent and, not long after, Watkins would be in the Leeds area again. This time he went down, the penalty was given and Maupay tucked it away neatly.
Leeds came again, late. But there was no winner. Brentford did not deserve to lose.
