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Starting as underdogs, the Bees came out early, controlling the tempo and with Jay Tabb pulling the strings in midfield, the away team had much the better of the early exchanges.
With Gayle and Rankin upfront Brentford were able to feed in running midfielders as Smith and Tabb himself created great chances before the Irishman netted midway through the half. With the home crowd on the Swans back it appeared that Brentford were largely in control coming up to half time.
Early pressure from the home side was soaked up with largely cool defending from a defense lacking Sodje which looked to be untroubled by the Nigerian's absence. The game changed when Bees goalkeeper Nelson was dubiously sent off for brining down Leon Knight on the edge of the area.
Contact between the Swans striker and the Bees keeper was minimal and even more questionable was the distance between the ball and the former Chelsea man when he was brought down by the away sides keeper.
Reserve Bankole was brought in and a nervy opening saw Swansea create several chances which forced several smart saves and good defending by the Bees in number looked set to see them claim a slim away victory, a result deserving of the performance, however they were denied when a defelected shot from Welsh International Sam Ricketts found its way past the replacement keeper and into the net to give the Swans hope heading to Griffin Park.
A usually lively Martin Allen slumped into the dug out after the goal three minutes from time realising that yet again his side had been undone by another late strike and were forced to contemplate yet another draw.
What the manager said?
Martin Allen was pleased the way his team started but obviously disapointed at the late setback,
"The opening was something we had discussed pre game. The only way to hold our own was to go on the attack and attempt to control the tempo of the game."
He was however unhappy with several of the refereeing decisions made during the game,
"I didn't think the referee gave us any protection for the amount of tackles from behind on our centre-forwards in the first half.
"I thought there should have been numerous yellow cards. But there was no protection, and the referee got carried away with the atmosphere and gave us nothing.
"We passed the ball well and controlled the game. Up until the sending-off, we were in control."
What the opposition manager said?
Delighted that his side played much better in the second period a satisfied Kenny Jackett said,
"That goal is a lifeline and gives us something to build on.
"It was a very important goal - but with the pressure we had and the shots, there was a goal there for us. We did deserve that.
"It sets it all up for Sunday - although with home advantage, they probably do have a slight advantage."