Last updated on .From the section Championship

Brentford defender Rico Henry crosses the ball at Cardiff

Brentford's winless streak stretched to five Championship games as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City.

Thomas Frank's team remain in the play-off places despite dropping points having led 2-0 thanks to Luka Racic's early goal and a fine free-kick from Bryan Mbeumo.

All the goals in an entertaining contest came before half-time.

Close-range headers from Junior Hoilett and Joe Ralls earned a point for Cardiff.

Brentford must find a victory soon - their current run is their longest this season without a win - if they are to avoid dropping out of the top six.

Cardiff are not yet out of play-off contention themselves after this impressive fightback, although their hopes are fading after no wins in their last four games.

The Bluebirds started slowly and Brentford took full advantage as they went in front after just five minutes from Emiliano Marcondes' corner.

Henrik Dalsgaard's initial effort was blocked, but the ball dropped perfectly for 20-year-old Racic to shoot across Alex Smithies and into the net for his first senior goal.

Brentford were cruising on 21 minutes when Mbeumo stroked a 20-yard free-kick over the home wall and beyond the reach of Smithies.

The Frenchman's 13th goal of the season had Cardiff reeling but, to their credit, Neil Harris' side conjured a response.

First Callum Paterson headed against the post after Brentford failed to deal with one of Will Vaulks' long throws, then Albert Adomah crossed for Hoilett to get ahead of Mbeumo and head home from close range.

Vaulks, who escaped sanction for a clash with Christian Norgaard which upset the Brentford bench, then created Cardiff's equaliser with another long throw.

This time Sean Morrison rose to flick the ball on and Ralls headed in his sixth goal of the campaign at the far post.

Ollie Watkins missed a chance to restore Brentford's lead early in the second half as he failed to get enough on Rico Henry's inviting cross.

Then the impressive Algeria midfielder Said Benrahma saw one long-range shot deflect just over the top and another parried by Smithies.

Left-back Joe Bennett wasted a golden opportunity for Cardiff as he shot wide from Paterson's deflected centre.

Cardiff looked the most likely winners as they put pressure on Brentford in the last quarter of the game, although Josh Dasilva's late drive whistled just past Smithies' left-hand post.

Cardiff manager Neil Harris said:

"We showed character to come from two goals behind. We gave a soft goal away for the first goal and it was a great free-kick for the second.

"We were a little bit nervous about their qualities as an attacking team, but we weren't aggressive enough for my liking. We found our way back into the game by forcing our way higher up the pitch, forced some turnovers and scored a really good goal with some great build-up play that finished with a great cross and header.

"Then we started to really play, we caused them problems. I'm delighted with Joe Ralls to come back after such a long time out and get the goal.

"Second half we should have stepped on the gas, but we turned the ball over too easily. Then we countered and came on strong, Brentford had a lot of the ball, but when we put them under pressure we created chances and we certainly had the better of the chances."

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said:

"I am pleased with attitude of my players. Coming to Cardiff - they have lost twice at home - we know it is a very difficult ground to go to.

"We totally dominate the game from the first second and on 25 minutes we are up 2-0. They don't have a chance, then they score a very good goal. Then it gets back and forth.

"Cardiff equalised on a long throw where we need to do better. Second half, credit to the boys they went out and dominated again.

"In the middle of the second half it went back and forth again, both teams had chances, then we got on top again. Overall I am satisfied with our performance."