Swindon had defender Jerel Ifil sent off late on for two bookable offences but managed to hang on for a much-needed point.
In a pretty miserable first half as the teams failed to produce any fluent football and the ball spent an awfully long time in the air.
Swindon were forced to make a substitution as early as the 10th minute, replacing the injured Steve Jenkins with Andrew Nicholas.
They also had the first meaningful effort on target through Rory Fallon, who caused Brentford problems in the air.
The Bees almost went ahead after 27 minutes when Jay Tabb's 25-yard effort was tipped over the bar.
And they really should have scored from the resulting corner which was taken by Paul Brooker and deflected to Tabb six yards out in front of an empty net. Somehow the winger managed to glance his header wide when it seemed easier to score.
Town also went close with a long-range free-kick from Andrew Gurney but there was little entertainment on show and it wasn't until the second half that the match got going.
Brentford wasted a string of chances, not least when following a goalmouth melee the ball fell for Darren Pratley on the volley with an open net in front of him. But the midfielder smashed his effort woefully over the bar.
Brooker then had even more time to finish an equally simple chance, but visiting goalkeeper Tom Heaton made an astonishing save from close range.
The hosts had a clear penalty shout turned down when Tabb was pushed in the back as he prepared to shoot, and the winger also appeared to be elbowed by defender Gurney.
Swindon did have one or two half-chances on the break, and a goal disallowed. But it was Brentford who left the field most frustrated, especially when they had only 10 men to face for the final few minutes.