Pontus Jansson scored a late equaliser to deny Brentford a vital three points as Neal Maupay netted his 10th league goal against Championship leaders Leeds at Elland Road.

The Bees’ talisman defeated Bailey Peacock-Farrell from 12 yards out shortly after the hour mark as Ollie Watkins went down inside the box.

Luke Daniels made some excellent saves, including a brilliant stop yards from goal, but Jansson’s header nestled into the goal as Luke Ayling received a second yellow card.

Brentford’s draw with 10-man Leeds means they temporarily move above Norwich City on goal difference after the lunchtime kick-off, but go five league games without victory.

Sergi Canós was given the nod ahead of Said Benrahma who recently returned from suspension as Moses Odubajo made his long-awaited return to the starting line-up.

Despite a shaky start, Brentford’s first scoring opportunity came when captain Maupay forced a save out of Bailey Peacock-Farrell with a low, driven strike.

And the goalkeeper remained the only obstacle between the Bees and the goal as Watkins’ shot nearly looped the Northern Ireland international.

Watkins would follow-up with a clever run in behind Ayling to meet a precise Chris Mepham through ball, only to be flagged offside.

Though in-form Tyler Roberts asked questions of the visitors’ defence on occasion as he fashioned space to fire towards Luke Daniels in goal.

Towards the end, Jansson bailed out his defence soon after Henrik Dalsgaard skipped over a challenge to fire a searching ball into the box.

Minutes before the first-half’s conclusion, Samuel Saíz nearly find the breakthrough when he shaved the post as Henrik Dalsgaard forced Pontus Jansson to bail out his defence.

Leeds threatened again after the restart, this time through Kalvin Phillips, however Daniels’ outstretched hand denied an almost-certain goal with a brilliant save.

But Peacock-Farrell was finally beaten when Maupay grabbed his 10th league goal, converting from 12 yards out after Watkins went down inside the box.

Though the hosts were undeterred as Liam Cooper rose highest to head wide and substitute Lewis Baker went close with a free-kick.

Brentford possibly should have been down to 10 men when Odubajo made a clattering challenge while having been shown yellow earlier in the game.

Daniels, a stand-in for Daniel Bentley after recent goalkeeping errors, was beaten when Jansson headed home in the 88th minute before Ayling was given his marching orders.

Smith threw Benrahma and Yoann Barbet into the fray as tempers flared but his side couldn’t hold on for their first win in five league matches.