IT WAS honours even at Elland Road after an absorbingly full-blooded affair, that while powered by relentless commitment and intent, only flickered intermittently with flair.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late equaliser cancelled out Kevin Schade’s stylish first half opener for the Bees, as both sides emerged with a point apiece in front of 35,974 fans on Sunday afternoon.

Keith Andrews’s side were particularly impressive in the opening 45 minutes, appearing on course for a second victory of the fledgling season after emphatically putting Tottenham to the sword last weekend.

Mamadou Sangare, Brentford’s £39 million summer signing from Lens, was outstanding in the heart of the action once again, with attacker Schade deservedly putting the west Londoners ahead with a gloriously deft finish. The 24-year-old German impishly guiding Keane Lewis-Potter’s low cross past Leeds £45m keeper James Trafford with the outside of his right boot shortly before half-time.

Prior to kick-off Leeds boss Daniel Farke had made a big call, with a single change from the opening day victory at Nottingham Forest ensuring the head coach preferred Noah Okafor to his summer arrival from Fulham, Harry Wilson, who dropped to the bench.

Realising the error of his ways as his team went into the break 1-0 down to a resounding chorus of boos from the disgruntled home support, Farke bravely responded with two half-time substitutions — including replacing the underperforming Brenden Aaronson with the 29-year-old Wilson, while also switching to a flat back four.

Despite the bank holiday rain periodically sheeting down in this pugnacious corner of West Yorkshire, the Welsh international’s introduction was the catalyst for a brighter second-half display from Leeds.

As the home side’s tempo rose, along with decibel levels around Elland Road from the passionate home fans, Leeds swept forward, only for Daniel James to clip the ball over the onrushing Caoimhin Kelleher and the bar, following a swift break from the home side.

However, just as Andrews’s worthy Brentford team appeared to be sealing two league wins from two, Calvert-Lewin slotted home from close range after a flowing Leeds move to equalise on 79 minutes. The 29-year-old capitalising on colleague Lukas Nmecha’s sharp footwork and anticipation on turning the ball into the No 9’s path, who made no mistake as Elland Road erupted.

Amid the raucous late atmosphere, as Farke’s side strove for a winner buoyed by their vociferous support, Calvert-Lewin could have put Leeds ahead with six minutes remaining, but Bees keeper Kelleher spread himself to block the 29-year-old striker’s effort, as both sides settled for a point apiece.

Speaking after the match, Farke reflected, saying: “I’m proud of my players. It was a difficult game as expected. [Brentford] were the better side in the first half and fully deserved to be in the lead.

“We needed to try everything. We changed the base formation at half-time … we were then in control and equalised.”

Farked added: “A point was a fair outcome for the result because we were the better side in the second half. Sometimes you have to win points with mentality and that’s what we did today.”