Leeds United claimed another point in their bid to escape the drop, but did little to ease sudden worries in front of goal that have seen them now play more than seven hours since they last found the back of the net in the Premier League.
Manager Daniel Farke thought the Whites were worth more than their goalless draw at home to Brentford, but it was a tough watch and as well as their goal shy ways United have now only won one of their last nine league matches.
Leeds played Brentford at their long ball game too much in the first 45 minutes and rarely threatened, although they did dominate the second half without troubling visiting goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher enough.
Despite this Farke insisted he was not worried about his side's dry spell.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin wins a header in his own box in Leeds United's game with Brentford.placeholder image
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin wins a header in his own box in Leeds United's game with Brentford.
He said: "You have these periods. We had a period where we conceded a few too many.
“I'm happy we have three clean sheets in a row, with the FA Cup game. We created chances at Crystal Palace. Today I would just judge it as an isolated game, they had really good defensive behaviour.
“Overall we're very aware that we don't have the individual quality to expect to just beat a player and go score a goal. It was a bit risky later on sacrificing a centre-back and bringing Daniel James on, changed to 4-2-3-1. We had many offensive players on, because we wanted to win.
“But it was also important not to do something stupid and lose this game and run into counter after counter. It was not enough to score goals but over the season we've proved we have goals in us."
Karl Darlow leaps to be first to the ball under pressure from Brentford striker Igor Thiago.placeholder image
Karl Darlow leaps to be first to the ball under pressure from Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
Farke is confident United will beat the drop and believes around seven more points will keep the side up.
He added: "We edge one point closer. Right now we have to win five to seven points, this will do it.
“We need to win two games, or whatever, draw from now on. I'll definitely take it because with 40 points you'll definitely stay in the league.
“It's not an easy cruise to the promised land. I expected a tough season. We're on 33 points, in a quarter-final of the FA Cup. I'm very confident if we keep going with this mentality, we have enough to win the five to seven points we need.
Jaka Bijol challenges Brentford top scorer Igor Thiago.placeholder image
Jaka Bijol challenges Brentford top scorer Igor Thiago.
“We have three home games and four chances on the road."
Leeds were sloppy at the start with little action of note aside from a ricochet off Jayden Bogle that bounced straight into Kelleher's arms, a Dominic Calvert-Lewin back header that was cleared by defender Michael Kayode and a James Justin shot that sailed over.
Brentford did well to shut down the Whites' build-ups from the back, but also carried little threat, although Nathan Collins' back header from a long throw was comfortably saved by Karl Darlow and Igor Thiago poked a shot wide.
Closest to a goal in a first half full of endeavour but lacking in quality was Lukas Nmecha with a long range strike that had to be well saved by Kelleher.
James Justin tries to win a header for Leeds United.placeholder image
James Justin tries to win a header for Leeds United.
It was no surprise the teams turned round still goalless, but the second half was a little better.
The visitors had the first chance as Mathias Jensen got in behind the United defence only to take a poor touch that forced him wide from where his shot hit the side netting.
That was it for efforts from Brentford until deep in added time when Keane Lewis-Potter's free-kick from the edge of the box hit the wall.
The Whites gradually forced them back with Brenden Aaronson shooting wide from inside the area and Ethan Ampadu's 25-yard shot needing two attempts to save by Kelleher.
A huge shout for a penalty for handball fell on deaf ears, but was correctly waved away, although several fouls were missed by the officials as the frustration mounted.
The time wasting tactics came out from the visitors before Leeds attempted a big finish with substitute Ao Tanaka seeing a shot from outside the box deflected wide.
Pascal Struijk's near post flick on from a corner was deflected wide and further flag kicks came to nothing as Brentford defended them well.
Another sub Noah Okafor saw his shot comfortably saved and Leeds knew it was not their day when they had a late shot blocked and then a cross was agonisingly deflected past a striker.
They did not really do enough overall to force the win they craved and time will tell if it is a good point against a team starting the day in seventh place or whether it was two dropped.
Brentford 0
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Premier League
Attendance: 36,386
Leeds: Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk (James 83); Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Justin; Aaronson (Tanaka 69), Nmecha (Okafor 69); Calvert-Lewin.
Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, Van Den Berg, Pinnock, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmoliuk, Henderson, Jensen; Schade (Outtara 77), Thiago.
Referee: Jarred Gillett
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