Former Rochdale loan player Glenn Poole came back to haunt his old side as he snatched a late point for Brentford.
The midfielder hammered in a long-range shot off the foot of the post in the 88th minute to deny Dale victory.
Glenn Murray had put the hosts ahead when he glanced in Adam Rundle's free-kick after his side had enjoyed more of the possession.
Murray was denied by keeper Simon Brown though Brentford's Charlie Ide did have a shot tipped over by James Spencer.