Brentford Under-18s began their pre-season fixtures with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Robert Rowan Performance Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Naeem Giscombe was the lone goalscorer for the young Bees in the 70-minute clash, with the second-year scholar kicking off his second season in west London strongly.

In wet conditions, neither side were able to gain the ascendancy in the early stages.

Brentford goalkeeper Felix Lyon was called into action on six minutes as Leicester found themselves through on goal, the first-year scholar making a superb save to deny a certain goal.

Five minutes later, the Bees pounced and took the lead through Giscombe. Running onto a cross from Trialist A, he tucked home a slick finish to make it 1-0.

Leicester equalised shortly afterwards, with the ball beating Lyon’s outstretched arm and nestling in the bottom-right corner to make it 1-1.

The game continued to ebb and flow as the first half progressed, both sides enjoying time on the ball and threatening moves going forward.

Giscombe almost had a brace after superb build-up play from the west Londoners on 25 minutes. Josh Zetter-Plummer played the ball from the middle to the right side and found Jovan Kasujja, who pushed forward and crossed to the back post. His ball hit Giscombe, however the forward was unable to finish.

Brentford were forced to defend early in the second half as the visitors enjoyed some time in possession. Despite this, the hosts defended strongly and wrestled the game back onto their terms.

Chris Cohalan won the ball back deep in Leicester's half and fired at goal, but it was kept out well by the visitors' keeper.

Moments later, it was the Foxes who had an opening, however the shot was high and wide.

As the game inched closer towards full-time, it was Giscombe who again found himself in a dangerous position, but the forward's header was saved.

Both sides pushed for a winner late on but the clash ended level.

Brentford Under-18s: Lyon, Trimboli, Lawal, Golding, Bowen, Trialist A, Zetter-Plummer, Cohalan, Kasujja, Ouattara, Giscombe

Subs: Trialist B, Trialist C, Ogungbemi, Bobb-Semple, Fanoiki