For although this League One contest was often full of good football, it was Barnsley who dominated for long periods and they had enough chances to have won by a proverbial cricket score.
Barnsley could have gone ahead after just two minutes when Aussie midfielder Jacob Burns delivered an excellent in-swinging free-kick that bounced inside the six-yard box and had to be parried away by Brentford's outstanding keeper Stuart Nelson.
Brentford's best early opening fell to central defender Michael Turner but he headed over from just eight yards.
Barnsley left-back Robbie Williams then saw a goalbound drive blocked on the line by Michael Dobson before Barnsley deservedly made the breakthrough.
Stephen McPhail threaded a lovely through ball to striker Paul Hayes and his cross was diverted into his own goal by the unfortunate Turner.
But a mere handful of seconds later, McPhail lost possession on the edge of his own box and when the cross came in, Lloyd Owusu tapped in from five yards.
For the remainder of the half Brentford were on the back foot and Nelson had to make a superb double save to deny both Burns and Hayes before Williams had another effort cleared off the line and McPhail's stabbed shot was also stopped on the line by a desperate combination of Kevin O'Connor and the keeper.
Barnsley didn't want half-time to come and their efforts on the resumption did not carry as much threat.
But they still had opportunities with the lively Chris Shuker twice going close and Burns bringing out another fine stop from Nelson.
Two minutes from time Barnsley lost skipper Paul Reid to a second yellow card.