Bryan Mbeumo earns Brentford a draw against AFC Bournemouth

Goals from Dominic Solanke and David Brooks looked to have done enough for Andoni Iraola’s men, cancelling out Mathias Jensen’s early free-kick.

But Mbeumo broke through to score at the death and earn Brentford a 2-2 draw.

Following Tuesday’s EFL Cup win at Swansea City, head coach Andoni Iraola reverted largely back to the side which faced Tottenham Hotspur in the league last weekend.

There were two changes from that XI, with Lewis Cook replacing Joe Rothwell, while Marcos Senesi came in for Lloyd Kelly, who was absent from the squad entirely after late transfer window interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Luis Sinisterra was not signed from Leeds United in time to feature and watched on from the stands, but the matchday group was boosted by returns of Marcus Tavernier and Adam Smith to the bench, following their respective injuries.

Cherries came into the game on the back of a 10-game winless run in away games at Brentford, since 2005.

And they fell behind again inside seven minutes. Goalkeeper Neto failed to claim a high cross, before fouling Kevin Schade as he looked to retrieve possession.

From a tight angle, Dane Jensen cleverly sent the resulting free-kick beyond Neto at his near post. The Brazilian clawed the ball away from behind the line, with some confusion over whether it was indeed a goal, referee Robert Madley seemingly having some issues with his technical equipment. But after consultation with fourth official Robert Jones, and despite strong protests from Cherries’ players and coaches, the goal stood.

The visitors responded well, creating three chances in quick succession around the 20-minute mark. Solanke, making his 100th Premier League appearance, was stopped by Ben Mee, before Cherries’ striker then stepped in himself to halt a sensational run of Ryan Christie into the box. Solanke took control, looking to turn in, but Mark Flekken got down to make the stop.

Antoine Semenyo then saw a shot blocked, before Cherries were almost hit with a sucker punch on the counter.

Schade was sent through on goal, only to be denied by a fine Neto stop, turning the shot against the post with his foot.

Cherries got back on the front foot, Christie firing agonisingly wide before the scores were levelled just past the half-hour mark. Senesi sent the ball down the channel for Solanke to chase. This time he got the better of Mee, cutting inside the former Burnley man before aiming a low shot past Flekken.

Ethan Pinnock should have put Brentford back in front soon after, meeting a Jensen free-kick but heading over unmarked.

Cherries were presented with the final chance of the half. Flekken punched a looping ball straight to Semenyo in the box, the Ghana international heading goalwards, but the goalkeeper managed to make the stop.

Cherries were fortunate not to be punished for a sloppy start to the second half. Senesi gave away possession in a dangerous area, the ball eventually teed up for Mbeumo in the box. However, he inexplicably fired wide of the post.

Another cross came into the box soon after, Vitaly Janelt’s header into the ground saved by Neto.

Cherries hit back, Christie’s right-footed effort tipped behind by Flekken at his near post.

Neto’s goal lived a charmed life again just before the hour mark. Yoane Wissa showed his composure to beat Senesi in the box, before his goalbound effort came back off the woodwork.

Iraola turned to his bench, introducing Brooks and Tavernier in place of Semenyo and Kluivert.

A set-piece almost proved Cherries’ undoing, Mbeumo’s corner met by the header of Christian Norgaard, Neto flying across to save.

But Brentford’s misses proved costly as Cherries got their noses in front on 77 minutes. Christie sent the ball down the wing for Tavernier to chase. Rico Henry got there first, but underhit his backpass allowing Tavernier in. He slid the ball across for Brooks, who calmly took it round Flekken before gleefully slamming in.

Thomas Frank made a triple sub to try and forge a way back into the contest, and they eventually forced an equaliser.

Mbeumo rolled past the challenge of Milos Kerkez and bore down on goal, putting his earlier miss behind him to slot home.

Cherries: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Kluivert (Tavernier, 71), Billing, Cook, Semenyo (Brooks, 60); Christie (Mepham, 87); Solanke.

Unused subs: Smith, Kilkenny, Rothwell, Traore, Moore, Radu (g/k).

Booked: Aarons, Neto, Iraola.

Brentford: Flekken; Hickey (Olakigbe, 82), Pinnock, Mee (Collins, 82), Henry; Norgaard, Janelt (Onyeka, 71), Jensen (Ajer, 82); Mbeumo, Schade (Lewis-Potter, 71), Wissa.

Unused subs: Roerslev, Yarmoliuk, Ghoddos, Strakosha (g/k).

Booked: Jensen.

Referee: Robert Madley.

VAR: Paul Tierney.

Attendance: 16,973 (inc 1,687 away).