Brentford Under-21s began their 2025/26 Professional Development League campaign with an entertaining 1-1 draw against Hull City on Wednesday afternoon.

There were a number of chances for the new-look young Bees as Michael Olakigbe, Iwan Morgan and Caelan Avenell all went close, but it was second-half substitute Ethan Laidlaw who struck the equaliser in stoppage-time.

The first period was played at a high tempo as both sides had spells of possession.

Olakigbe made a great run and delivered a cross which fizzed across the six-yard box but there was no one there to turn it into the net.

The Bees were getting into dangerous positions as Morgan found space after a well-worked corner before firing over from close range.

Despite the pressure from the west Londoners, Harry Vaughan opened the scoring for Hull with a strike from the edge of the box which took a wicked deflection.

The second period began in a similar fashion as Brentford probed to find an equaliser.

Morgan had a goal disallowed as despite a great finish, he was adjudged to have handled the ball in his attempt to control it.

Matthew Cox made two exceptional saves to deny Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, first getting down low to stop a driven effort before then parrying away a fierce shot.

Morgan had a strike from distance which seemed to trouble the goalkeeper as he scrambled to tip the shot around his post.

The home side piled on the pressure late on and should have had their equaliser when Caelan Avenell had a headed chance from two yards out, but the defender struck the post. He had the ball in the back of the net seconds later however the offside flag was raised again.

Brentford found a deserved equaliser in the dying seconds as substitute Laidlaw struck a half-volley from the edge of the box into the net.

Sam Saunders' side are back in action on Tuesday 19 August when they take on Hanwell Town in the London Senior Cup final at the Powerday Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm.

Brentford: Cox, Trialist A (Mawene 70), Stephenson (Asemokhai 90+4), Headman, Avenell, Owen, Shield, Honor (Laidlaw 54), Morgan (Trialist B 86), Bentt (Boni 70), Olakigbe

Booked: Saunders (coach) 49, Owen 65, Laidlaw 72

Hull City: Yam, Devine, Carter, Shehu, Revill, Ashbee, Myers (Jagielka 90+2), Moore, Parker, Vaugnan, Sellars-Fleming (Kamau 85)

Unused subs: Stewart-Cooney, Hopper, Ocaya

Booked: Parker 20, Yam 45, Shehu 65, Moore 71