Brentford B were held to a 1-1 draw by AD Mérida in a friendly in Spain this evening.

The game consisted of three thirty minute periods at the home of Mérida - which is also owned by Best Intentions Analytics, the holding company of Brentford FC - Estadio Romano José Fouto.

Brentford B had the first real opening of the game when Iwan Morgan fed through Michael Olakigbe with a clever reverse pass, but as he fired over the linesman raised his flag for offside.

On 13 minutes, Gustavo Nunes did well to drive at his full-back and flash a cross along the six-yard box which Olakigbe connected with but his effort was well blocked at the last minute by the sliding Manu Rivas.

Five minutes later and Mérida had their first chance on goal when Rui Gomes hit a driven effort from the top left-corner of the penalty area across Matthew Cox who held on well.

It was the home side who did take the lead on 21 minutes as the ball fell kindly into the path of Rodrigo inside the box and his effort, despite a touch from Cox, crept in at the far post to make it 1-0.

The lead only lasted three minutes as Sam Saunders' side, who had joy already on the left through Nunes, found a leveller on 24 minutes. The Brazilian winger found Luca Picotto inside the box who fired into the roof of the net to level the game with his first goal for Brentford.

Rodrigo had a good chance to score his second of the game on the brink of the first interval but headed his effort straight down the throat of Cox who claimed comfortably.

Seven minutes after the restart the Spanish side came close to regaining the lead when Artola got the better of Maxwell McKnight but Cox stood up brilliantly to block with his body in the one-on-one.

Cox had more work to do halfway through the second period after an intricate one-two in the box found Capi with space, but his strike was again smothered by the Bees' keeper.

Rui Gomes went close for Mérida as the game approached the second break, beating three players on the edge of the box before curling his effort just wide of the top corner.

Romelle Donovan was a live wire as always and almost gave the west Londoners the lead on 56 minutes after an incredible pass from Riley Owen.

The Brentford midfielder brought the ball down on his chest and volleyed a pass from inside his own box into the path of Donovan setting him free one-on-one with Cacha but the Mérida keeper got a strong hand on his left-footed strike.

Ollie Shield did well to clear a flicked header at the back post and then had a good attempt at the other end when his deflected strike flew behind. Chanse Headman connected with the subsequent corner but couldn't get enough power on the ball to guide it home.

Nunes then had a chance on 82 minutes when Michel Boni held up the ball well and played him through, but his strike across goal flashed just wide.

Ogar almost stole victory in stunning fashion for Mérida but saw his volley from the edge of the box swerve wide of the woodwork.

With the final action of the game it looked like the Bees had found a way to win it when Owen's floated free-kick was met by Headman but his headed effort was palmed away.

The clash ended in a draw and gave Saunders a good opportunity to experiment with his squad ahead of an important Professional Development League game against AFC Bournemouth on Friday 14 November.

Merida: Cacha, Javi Lancho, Miki Muńoz, Rui Gomez, Artola, Gaizka, Capi, Benny, Pipe, Manu Rivas, Rodrigo

Subs: Adrian, Pareja, Javi Dominguez, Chiqui, Martin, Alvaro, Doncel, Areso, Jacobo, Beneit, Eudald, Alex Gil, Jorge, Salva, Marouane, Ivanov, Carvajal, José, Mario, David Cesar, Oscar, Jona, Dani, Ogar

Booked: Oscar 88

Brentford: Cox, McKnight, Picotto, Stephenson, Headman, Owen, Donovan, Grey, Morgan, Olakigbe, Nunes

Subs: Shield, Rose, Asemokhai, Honor, Pierre, Boni, Tavaziva

Booked: Boni 38

Sam Saunders on Mérida draw

Sam Saunders reflects on Brentford B's 1-1 friendly draw with Spanish side Mérida.

"It's been a really worthwhile trip and we've topped it off with a great game. The level was really high," he said.

"It was a tough game, physically demanding and there was some good quality from both teams.

"Changing personnel and little tweaks within our system was really helpful for us."