In the early exchanges to suggest Aldershot were profligate understates the fact.
On 11 minutes after a good through ball from Scott Davies, Louis Soares missed a gilt edged chance after shooting wide of the left post with time and space.
Two minutes later, the home side were rewarded by a rush of blood to the head from Ben Hamer when he brought down Brentford old boy Ricky Newman as Davies coolly drove home.
On the half-hour mark, Ben Harding missed another good chance after good work on the left flank from Dean Howell as he screwed his effort wide from 5 yards.
On 37 minutes, captain Adam Newton cut onto his left foot but failed to test Nikki Bull.
Moments later, Newton's cross-shot caught Bull flat-footed but he was just able to tip the ball over the bar.
With two minutes left in the half, Josh Wright tried his luck from range but Bull saved comfortably.
Brentford came back strongly in the second half and on 53 minutes Newton's well-worked corner was flicked on by substitute Nathan Elder.
It reached Marvin Williams but the striker directed his header wide of the right post from five yards.
The visitors equalised on 56 minutes as Anthony Charles was harshly adjudged to have brought down Williams after the striker had up-ended Dean Howell.
From the spot, Glenn Poole sent Bull the wrong way.
Five minutes later, Rob Elvins was inches from restoring Aldershot's lead as Chris Blackburn's cross to the striker was inches from his outstretched leg in front of an open goal.