Brentford U18s 2 Sheffield Wednesday U18s 2: McDermott's side held by the Owls at Wheatsheaf Park | OneFootball

Brentford Under-18s were held to a 2-2 draw by Sheffield Wednesday Under-18s at Wheatsheaf Park after leading twice during the Professional Development League clash.

An own goal and a penalty from Domeiro Bobb-Semple gave the young Bees a 2-1 lead at the break, but a 73rd-minute equaliser meant the game ended level.

Felix Lyon had the first save to make within two minutes on a perfect day for football at Wheatsheaf Park - a comfortable catch from Charlie Robinson’s header - but it was Brentford who found an early lead.

Naeem Giscombe pounced on a loose touch high up the pitch to record his third assist in two games on nine minutes. His clever footwork took him past his man and he drilled a dangerous cross along the six-yard box, forcing Perry Ridge to turn into his own net to make it 1-0.

The visitors responded quickly though and levelled on 20 minutes. Otis Honor was dispossessed on the edge of Brentford’s box, and the ball eventually worked its way to Kleven De Oliveira, who curled an effort past Felix Lyon into the top-left corner.

Within three minutes of the equaliser, the Bees had regained their advantage. Giscombe caused problems on the right again and drew a foul from Wednesday keeper Thomas Streets to win a penalty. Bobb-Semple rolled home his third goal of the season from the spot to make it 2-1.

The Owls almost drew level again on 41 minutes when a lovely outside of the boot pass from James Kay found Robinson inside the box, but he flicked his effort just wide.

Gary McDermott’s side could have had a third on 49 minutes when Jovan Kasujja pressed excellently to earn himself a one-on-one with the keeper, however he struck wide of the right hand post.

Josh Oladapo-Gamu and Isaiah Powis were brilliant as a centre-back pairing, with Lyon behind them getting attacks started with both feet and hands.

Bobb-Semple almost gave the Bees a two-goal lead after bringing down Josh Zetter-Plummer’s perfect crossfield ball, cutting inside but curling an effort inches the wrong side of the far post.

Two minutes later, substitute Staitham Bowen headed onto the roof of the net from Honor’s deep free-kick.

Brentford came to rue those missed chances as on 73 minutes, Wednesday had another equaliser as Oghenemarho Akpobi tapped home from close range after a low cross from the left.

Yerime Ouatarra had an effort that looked certain to hit the back of the net blocked with 10 to play.

Bobb-Semple had a similar chance denied after a spill from Streets and Lyon made an exceptional save low to his left to tip Roman Cawley’s strike around the post on 85 minutes to keep the scoreline at 2-2.

A solid point that perhaps should have been more for McDermott's side, who will look to win their opening game of the Professional Development League Cup on Tuesday away to Mansfield Town (12pm kick-off).

Brentford U18s: Lyon, Zetter-Plummer (Fanoiki 88), Ogungbemi, Oladapo-Gamu (Bowen 60), Powis (Lawal 60), Honor, Giscombe, Ouatarra, Kasujja, Bansoodeb (Cohalan 77), Bobb-Semple

Unused subs: Nicholls

Booked: Ouatarra 65, Ogungbemi 76

Sheffield Wednesday U18s: Streets, Jessop, Ridge, Hatfield, Selby, Sopala, De Oliveira (Darley 62), Kay, Robinson (Dixon 74), Da Costa (Cawley 62), Akpobi

Unused subs: Bramhall, Chadbourne