CHRIS Wood fired a double as Albion came from behind to draw 3-3 with a strong Blackburn side in their opening Barclays Premier Reserve League clash of the season.
Sam Mantom also notched against a Rovers team that included the likes of David Dunn and ex-Baggies striker Jason Roberts.
Maceo Rigters opened the scoring for the hosts seconds before the break at the Leigh Sports Village.
Wood levelled eight minutes into the second half after Romaine Sawyers broke to find Saido Berahino, who showed good footwork to square the ball for the New Zealand international.
Blackburn raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Josh Morris' 68th-minute effort and Roberts' 75th-minute strike.
The Baggies were then unfortunate not to score when substitute Adil Nabi hit the crossbar.
But they earned a point when Mantom curled home an 84th minute shot and Wood poked home from close range two minutes from time after Nabi had directed Mantom's corner goalwards from the edge of the box.
Albion coach Keith Downing said: "Blackburn were on the front foot in the first half but we stuck at it.
"We changed the system at half-time and we did much better.
"However, we had done a lot of defending and, as we tired, conceded two goals.
"But we never gave up and showed good strength of character.
"These Under-21s lads have come through the ranks together and this level is the next challenge for them.
"Today they came through it well."
BLACKBURN: Kean, C O'Connor, Pearson, Gunning, Morris, Judge, Linganzi, Dunn (Potts 66), Hoilett, Roberts (Aley 80), Rigters. Subs not used: Urwin (gk), Ramm, Santa Cruz.
ALBION: Allsop, Grier, O'Neil, Mantom, Downing, Connolly, Berahino, Thorne, Wood, Sawyers, (Nabi 80), Elford-Alliyu, (Mannion 89). Subs not used: Tebbutt (gk), Fowler, Garmson.
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