Sodje put Brentford into a 22nd minute lead but was then sent off for a second booking six minutes from the end as a topsy turvy match ended all square.
Brentford arrived on the south coast knowing they had to win and hoped automatic promotion rivals Colchester were beaten at lowly Yeovil.
Martin Allen's men signalled their intention after only 23 seconds when on loan Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley had a shot charged down by Callum Hart.
Leading scorer James Hayter had Bouremouth's first effort on goal in the 10th minute when he raced onto strike partner Steve Fletcher's flick on before volleying over under pressure from that man Sodje.
Brentford captain Ricky Newman came to the rescue five minutes later when he deflected Stephen Purches' long-range shot over the crossbar.
Bournemouth defender Adam Griffiths picked up the first booking of the game in the 19th minute for a foul on tricky Brentford winger Jay Tabb.
Sodje put the Bees in front soon after when he seized on James O'Connor's poor clearance before thumping the ball into the bottom corner from six yards.
Stephen Foley drew Bournemouth level on the stroke of half-time with a curling 20-yard free-kick after skipper Newman had needlessly handled on the ground.
Irishman Foley almost put Bournemouth into a shock lead eight minutes after the restart when he hammered another free-kick against the Brentford crossbar from a near identical position.
Sodje picked up his first yellow card for a foul on Hayter on the hour mark before Andrew Frampton restored Brentford's lead with a close-range tap in from a Pratley corner five minutes later.
Griffiths was given his marching orders for a second booking after another foul on Tabb in the 79th minute.
Referee Lee Probert levelled things up by dismissing Sodje for charging down Bournemouth substitute Brett Pitman six minutes from time.
The Nigerian's misery was compounded when Bournemouth captain Fletcher swept in James Coutts' cross to make it 2-2.