Jan Holldack's brace earned Brentford a point as they drew 2-2 with Leeds United this afternoon in their Under-21 Professional Development League Two fixture at Jersey Road.
Euan Mulhern put the visitors, managed by Paul Hart, ahead early in the first-half with a fine solo effort as The Bees struggled to create chances against an organised United backline.
However they upper their game in the second-half and deservedly levelled when Holldack reacted fastest to poke home Jermaine Udumaga's half-blocked free-kick.
The German midfielder then put The Bees ahead with nine minutes to play, again reacting to a deflected effort from Udumaga, but they were denied the three points late on as Mulhern drove into the box and slotted home the equaliser.
It was a mixture of youth and experience as Under-18s Reece Cole and Chris Mepham started at full-back with three other first-year professionals in the XI alongside first-team players Jack Bonham, Jack O'Connell, Ryan Woods and Marcos Tebar.
Leeds, fresh from a 3-0 win against Bristol City last time out, started the brighter as Eoghan Stokes overhead kick drifted wide and Mulhern forced Bonham into a smart low save with a well struck drive.
Mulhern gave The Bees keeper no chance however after 13 minutes as he seized on a loose ball inside his own-half and drove unchallenged to the edge of the box before firing low to Bonham's left and into the back of the net.
The goal allowed Leeds to sit back as the half wore on, frustrating The Bees with two solid backs of yellow-shirted defenders barring Carsley's men's route to goal.
The Bees weren't helping themselves with the slow fashion in which they were moving the ball as they dominated possession but without really creating a clear chance.
Luke Parkin could have doubled the visitors advantage on the half-hour but Bonham made a fine reaction save to deny him before The Bees finally mustered a chance of note - Cole's left footed shot from the edge of the area was comfortably held by Eric Grimes.
Whatever was said by Kevin O'Connor and Lee Carsley at half-time clearly had an impact as The Bees started the half far more brightly.
They should have been level within a minute as Udumaga raced through one-on-one but Grimes got a vital touch to turn his effort round the post.
Lewis Walters shot straight at Bonham and Parkin sent an effort well wide but apart from that it was Brentford who made all the running after the break.
Jake Skelton headed Cole's curling effort off the line after a clever corner routine but eventually Brentford's dominance of territory and possession told as Holldack smashed home the equaliser - Under-18 Julius Fenn-Evans was bundled over outside the box and when Udumaga's free-kick bounced loose the German Under-19 International was there to fire home from close range.
Holldack almost repaid the complement to Udumaga eight minutes later as he split the Leeds defence with a fine ball but again one-on-one Grimes came out on top in the duel with the Brentford striker.
There was nothing the Leeds keeper could do three minutes later as Cole whipped in a fine low ball and, when Udumaga's shot was half-blocked by a covering defender, Holldack was there to make sure from close range.
United had offered very little as an attacking threat in the second-half but they rescued a point with four minutes remaining as again Mulhern showed pace and strength to drive into the box before calmly stroking home into the far corner.
Hart's side could have won it in injury time as substitute Malik Wilks created space for himself on the edge of the box but he shot into the arms of Bonham as both sides settled for a point.
Brentford Development Squad:- Jack Bonham; Reece Cole, Gradi Milenge, Jack O'Connell, Chris Mepham; James Ferry, Ryan Woods; Marcos Tebar (sub Zain Westbrooke 65 mins), Jan Holldack, Seika Jatta (sub Julius Fenn-Evans 42 mins); Jermaine Udumaga Subs not used: George Harmes
Leeds United Development Squad: Eric Grimes; Lewis Coyle, Jack Vann, Jake Skelton, Tyler Denton; Eoghan Stokes, Alex Purver, Luke Parkin, Lewis Walters (sub Malik Wilks 75 mins); Robbie McDaid (sub Tom Lyman 65 mins), Euan Mulhern Subs not used:- Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Tom Pearce, Clark Odour