Brentford 1 Birmingham City 1

Moses Odubajo's turned super-sub to rescue a point for 10-man Brentford at home to Birmingham City this afternoon.

Axed from the starting line-up, Odubajo's 79 minute strike was reward for the Bees who had been a man and a goal down since the 15 minute penalty from Paul Caddis which saw Tony Craig given a straight red card for a professional foul.

Mark Warburton’s side showed three changes in all to Tuesday’s win at Blackpool, fit again Andre Gray, Tommy Smith and one of the ‘Three Amigos,’ Jota coming into the line-up.Nick Proschwitz and Stuart Dallas joined Odubajo's in dropping to the bench, Dallas’ winner at Bloomfield Road not enough for him to keep hold of a first XI shirt.

Birmingham threatened inside a minute when David Cotterill’s cross from the right cannoned off a defender at the far post before being hacked clear.

The threat down the right was not heeded and it led to disaster for Brentford on 15 minutes when old-boy Clayton Donaldson latched on to a ball down the channel. He was bundled over in the box by Tony Craig who as last man was instantly dismissed by referee Madley. Caddis kept his cool amid the delay while Craig left the field before sending David Button the wrong way from the spot.

Warburton responded by sending on Harlee Dean in place of Jota to restore a complete back four.The Bees responded well forcing two corners in quick succession, before Gray turned his marker well only for his cross to elude everyone in red and white.

The danger remained though down the hosts’ left and it should have been 2-0 on 28 minutes when another devilish cross from Cotterill found Wes Thomas in yards of space, but he headed over with the goal gaping.

Early bath: Brentford's Tony Craig was sent off

The Blues’ striker threatened again three minutes later forcing Button to dive at his feet and avert the danger and Cotterill was also close to doubling with ac drilled effort deflected behind. From the resulting corner Lee Novak escaped his marker to head goal-wards from point-blank range only for Button to flick and a hand and somehow push the ball over the bar.

David Davis also fizzed one inches, while Grant Hill’s weak header from another excellent Cotterill delivery meant Bees got to half time still just one in arrears. Dallas replaced Smith at the restart, but the familiar pattern appeared to have resumed when chief tormentor Cotterill saw another goal-bound shot deflected behind.

However, with six minutes played Alan Judge’s good work down the right gave Bees a brief sight of goal, but there was a deflection on his cross and Gray was unable to gather it in. As the hosts seized the ascendancy, there were shouts for a penalty when Jake Bidwell went down under challenge on the by-line, but referee Madley was unmoved to the fury of the home support.

Judge forced then forced Darren Randolph into his first real save with a shot from the edge, the resulting corner seeing Pritchard also test the home keeper. Their best chance yet came on 70 minutes when a deep cross from the right found the excellent James Tarkowski on the left of the box. He nodded down to Gray, but Randolph’s challenge with his feet was enough to deflect the ball to safety.

McCormack gave way to Odubajo with just over 15 minutes to play  as Warburton’s men continued to boldly seek a leveller and it took the substitute just five minutes to level. Released down the right the youngster outstripped the defence, but appeared to have overrun the ball before poking out a right foot to lift it over the advancing Randolph.

Dallas might even have won it with a swerving shot parried by Randolph, but this will feel like a win for the brave and resilient hosts.