Brentford suffered a setback in their automatic-promotion bid as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon despite racing into a two-goal lead.

Thomas Frank's side would have been desperate for end their four-game winless run heading into the Bluebirds clash, and they certainly looked good value for the three points when Luka Racic and Bryan Mbeumo put the Bees 2-0 up.

However, Cardiff then launched an impressive fight-back before the interval as Junior Hoilett and Joe Ralls both scored headers to level the scores, and it then remained 2-2 in the second period despite both sides pushing for the win.

The result means Brentford are now sitting fifth in the Championship table while they are 11 points adrift of second-placed Leeds, with there now being just 10 matches left to play this campaign.

Here, we take a look at three things we learned about Brentford during the clash...

Their automatic-promotion hopes are looking slim

Brentford would have still had aspirations of breaking into the automatic-promotion spots heading into the week, but the fact they were only able to pick up one point across their clashes with Luton and Cardiff does not bode well.

The Bees are sitting a significant 11 points adrift of Leeds in second spot following their 4-0 success over Hull, and it now seems as though a top-six spot is the best that Brentford can hope for given they are now five games without a win.

Frank will be disappointed in his side throwing away a two-goal lead before the interval, and the Griffin Park outfit will need to develop more backbone if they are to maintain their promotion push in the closing weeks of the season.

Frank's men needed to put the game to bed earlier

There were some positives for Brentford to take from the game given they excelled in the early stages as they took a two-goal lead, with the west London side playing some typically attractive football as they kicked off the game in style.

However, there will have been plenty of frustration in the Bees' dressing room at half-time as they allowed the hosts back into the game at the end of the first half, with Frank's men having spurned some chances to extend their lead.

There can be no doubt that Brentford should have capitalised on their impressive start to the match by sealing all three points in the Welsh capital, and the Bees may look back on this game with regret come the end of the campaign.

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Brentford need Pontus Jansson back in the side

Jansson has been an integral figure in defence for the Bees this campaign, but the Swedish centre-back has now not featured in any of his side's last nine league matches, and his presence has certainly been missed during this time.

Brentford are lacking Jansson's leadership from the back during difficult moments, with Cardiff's two-goal comeback on Saturday suggesting that the Bees' back line is much too feeble without the former Leeds man marshalling his side.

It was also clear to see how Frank's side struggled to defend set-pieces against the Bluebirds in the Welsh capital, and Brentford will be desperately hoping that Jansson is fit in time for next weekend to help solve their current woes.