Jake Reeves said he believed Brentford would have beaten Sheffield United comfortably if the game had ended with 22 players on the pitch.
The Bees needed a late equaliser from Bradley Wright-Phillips to take a point at Bramall Lane on a night of high drama in South Yorkshire.
Brentford were 1-0 up early in the second half when Tony Craig was dismissed for an offence of violent conduct seen only by the assistant referee.
Although Sheffield United missed the resulting penalty they scored from a second awarded by referee Keith Stroud and then took the lead.
Both teams then had a man dismissed, to make it ten against nine, and Sam Saunders had a penalty saved for The Bees before they got a late goal.
Jake said the first goal – a penalty won by Clayton Donaldson when he raced clear in the inside left channel – was something they had worked on and he felt Brentford were in control until the red cards came out.
“I didn’t think it was a dirty game,” said the teenage midfield player, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“We came in to the game and our warm-up was unbelievable.
“We were fast, we were straight on it.
“We always knew they would have a period.
“We knew they were a big, physical team and if they got a couple of set pieces the crowd would get on their side.
“We just had to ride the storm.
“The first goal was what we had worked on.
“I didn’t think they had anything to worry us and we had the game under control but things don’t go to plan.
“We still had the belief we could win after Tony was sent off and I think we still had more chances.
“Even when we had nine we had chances.
“If it was 11 v 11 I think we would have been comfortable.”
Jake said Brentford never lost belief they would get something from the game, even when they trailed, were reduced to nine men and saw a penalty saved.
He said The Bees were the fitter team and hailed Head of Conditioning Chris Haslam and the Medical Department for their work.
“We all believed it would come,” said Jake.
“Credit to the fitness coach, Chris Haslam, and the physios for keeping us all fit.
“We are an incredibly fit side and that showed today.
“We had a man less but we were still running for each other.
“We all believed we could get something.
“I can’t remember what happened when we scored.
“I think I just screamed and ran at the fans.”
More than 1,100 Brentford fans made the trek north last night and Jake was full of praise for them.
“Our fans have been unbelievable at times this season,” he said.
“It’s great that they are getting behind us.
“It is clear they believe in us just as much as we believe in each other.”
Jake made only his third npower League One start of the season in the top-of-the-table clash and said it was nice Manager Uwe Rösler trusted him enough to play him in a game that was third v fifth in the table.
Jake replaced Jonathan Douglas when the midfield man limped off in the win over Portsmouth on Saturday and kept his place.
Jake started for The Bees against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last season and said he could feel how much he had developed since that day.
“It’s nice for the gaffer to put me in to such an important game,” he said.
“A game against Sheffield United will always be important, whether it is third v fifth or not.
“I’m very happy.
“I thought I would get a chance when Jonathan Douglas was injured last week.
“Thankfully the gaffer put me on and I did quite well.
“He has trusted me today and I’m very happy.
“I was only 18 here last time, I am still only 19.
“You get more physical, stronger; you learn the game more as you train every day with good, experienced professionals.
“I feel I have improved quite a lot.”
Brentford remain third in the table after the draw with two games to go.
They are a point behind AFC Bournemouth, who are second, and three behind leaders Doncaster Rovers before the trip to Hartlepool United for their final away match on Saturday.
If Brentford win their last two games, allowing for perhaps needing to beat Doncaster by sufficient margin on the final day of the season to overturn a goal difference deficit, they will clinch automatic promotion.
“Two wins will take us very close,” said Jake.
“We know we have to win our last two games but we will take them one at a time.
“Hopefully we can do the job.
“It doesn’t matter how many games you have played or how old you are, if you are selected it is because you are trusted.
“You have to show you can cope with the pressure.”
A full post-match video interview with Jake Reeves is available here for Bees Player subscribers.