ALBION Under-18s pulled off a stunning second-half comeback to draw 3-3 at Derby on Saturday after being read the riot act by coach Michael Appleton.

The Baggies found themselves 3-0 down at half-time in the FA Premier Academy League inter-group clash after a below-par display.

But a Romaine Sawyers strike and a Lateef Elford-Alliyu double saw Albion earn what looked like an unlikely point.

"The first half was an absolute disaster," said Appleton.

"We were 3-0 down at half-time.

"There was a massive lack of application, effort and enthusiasm.

"We weren't outplayed by any stretch of the imagination.

"They were very direct and got the ball into their frontman.

"We had three or four one-on-one situations but I didn't want to use that as an excuse for our first-half performance.

"There were a few choice words said at half-time in the dressing room.

"But I told them if we got one goal back there was a chance we could go on and win the game.

"We probably should have gone on and won it 4-3 or 5-3 as Derby hardly got into our half after the break.

"I was pleased I got a response to my half-time words and hopefully we can take that into next week."

ALBION (4-4-2): Allsop; Pike, Clarke, Downing, Martin; Knight, Mantom, Samuels (Saied HT), Lake-Gaskin (Sawyers HT); Elford-Alliyu, Wood. Subs not used: Malcolm, Lovell, Lynch. 

You can keep up to date with all the latest Baggies news when you are not by your PC by visiting our Albion Mobile site (click here).