Crystal Palace were pushed all the way by an impressive Brentford team tonight as the League One side held the Eagles to a 2-2 draw at Griffin Park.

Darren Ambrose’s free-kick put Palace ahead before a Shaun Derry own goal levelled matters.

Myles Weston then put Brentford ahead after the break but substitute Jose Fonte scored with 12 minutes left to snatch a draw.

Palace started off in a 4-4-2 formation with Freddie Sears upfront with Alan Lee but it was the home side who had the first chance.

Marcus Bean powered on to a header six yards out but could only find Julian Speroni.

Derry had a shot deflected just wide but Brentford’s passing game began to give Palace problems before the Eagles went ahead against the run of play.

Ambrose drilled a 30-yard free kick goalwards that took a deflection and beat Lewis Price.

The Bees were deservedly level seven minutes later though when Paddy McCarthy could only head Sam Wood’s corner straight at Derry and the ball deflected in.

Palace boss Neil Warnock made two changes at the break as Allessane N’Diaye replaced a frustrated Alan Lee and Clint Hill came on for Danny Butterfield.

Andy Scott made no changes and it was Brentford that continued to press as Palace reverted to a 4-3-3.

The Bees took the lead on 58 minutes when Ben Strevens set up Weston 20 yards out and he steadied himself before lashing the ball past Speroni.

Sam Saunders flashed a shot wide from an acute angle before Ryan Blake produced a brilliant block to deny Sean Scannell after he collected N’Diaye’s knock on.

After Weston was replaced to a standing ovation, Palace levelled when Nick Carle’s free-kick found its way to the far post and the unmarked Fonte.

Brentford: Lewis Price, Danny Foster, Ryan Blake, Mark Phillips, Karleigh Osborne, Sam Wood, Sam Saunders, Myles Weston (Marvin Williams, 77), Ben Strevens, Kevin O’Connor, Marcus Bean.

Palace: Julian Speroni, Danny Butterfield (Clint Hill, h-t), Matt Lawrence, Paddy McCarthy (Jose Fonte, 65), Nathaniel Clyne, Shaun Derry (Johnny Ertl, 65), Neil Danns (Nick Carle, 65), Darren Ambrose (Lee Hills, 77), Victor Moses (Sean Scannell, 65), Freddie Sears, Alan Lee (Allesane N’Diaye).