As expected, both sides went at each other from the very outset with great ferocity in order to better their contrasting positions in the Premier League table.
But it was Forest who looked purposeful in the final-third, with forward Emmanuel Dennis (24) throwing away a superb chance from a close-range header, before Morgan Gibbs-White (22) delivered a belter from just outside the box following some silky dribbling skills to inflict the visitors’ 50th conceded goal on the road in just 23 away games.
Ryan Yates (24) then went down relatively easy in the Brentford box after a slight push on the back from the opposition defender, but VAR opted against giving a penalty, staying put with Andre Marriner’s decision.
Steve Cooper’s outfit thought they were heading into the break in the driving seat, only for the Bees to win a soft penalty and level proceedings on the stroke of HT via Bryan Mbeumo's (23) well-taken spot-kick – their first shot on target in the match.
Perhaps inspired by how they ended the first period on the ascendancy, Thomas Frank’s men threw everything at their opponents in a bid to avoid a league-high seven draws.
Forest were not going to sit back and spectate though, as they pushed back in search of just a third win this term.
However, it was the Bees who went 2-1 up on the brink of the final quarter-hour from Yoane Wissa’s (26) stunning lob following an exceptional over-the-top assist from half-way by Mathias Jensen (26).
Having witnessed the same HT result replicated at FT in 12 of their 14 games this campaign, Brentford couldn’t avoid a 13th such result this time around, as Gibbs-White capitalised on a defensive mishap and struck a shot that rebounded in off unlucky Brentford defender Zanka (32).
The Bees failed to put an end to their dreadful winless away streak, narrowly missing out on a first away win at the death.
Forest on the other hand will take inspiration from their last-minute equaliser going forward, as they avoided a ninth defeat this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)