ALBION Under-18s extended their unbeaten start to the season to five games with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle in the FA Premier Academy League on Saturday.

The Magpies took the lead but the Baggies hit back thanks to Lateef Elford-Alliyu's 18-yard strike in the 38th minute to make it 1-1 at half-time.

A defensive mix-up allowed the hosts to forge ahead again but Saido Berahino rescued a deserved point for Albion when he tucked home Tom Waghorn's cross with seven minutes to go.

Albion coach Keith Downing said: "Saturday threw up a different challenge for us because we had to come from behind twice.

"We showed a little bit of character and know-how, which the boys are starting to develop.

"We played well in the first half despite going a goal down and we were a little unfortunate to come in 1-1 at half-time.

"We started the second half quite brightly and built some momentum and then went 2-1 down due to a defensive mix-up.

"We lost a little bit of shape and discipline in our game.

"Newcastle could have put us away then but Ryan Allsop made two very good saves.

"We conjured a bit of strength and scored the second.

"Overall it was a deserved point.

"We possibly should have won the game but it was quite pleasing because we were 2-1 down with eight minutes left."

Baggies Under-18s visit Wolves on Saturday (ko 11am).

ALBION: Allsop, Gayle (Waghorn 68), Connolly, Mantom (Lovell 70), Downing, Malcolm, Lynch, Grier, Mannion, Berahino, Elford-Alliyu. Subs not used: Tebbutt, O'Neil, Mulholland.

PIC: ON THE MARK...Elford-Alliyu fired home the Baggies' first equaliser