Match Reports

Nottingham Forest v Albion match report

ALBION struck late to rescue a dramatic 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

The Baggies, donning their classic change yellow and green strip, fell behind through Adlene Guedioura's long-range effort just before the hour mark in their first league visit to The City Ground since 2009.

But, after new loan signing Dwight Gayle had stepped off the bench and struck a post, Matt Phillips slammed home an 87th-minute equaliser to earn Darren Moore's men a share of the spoils.

With the travelling Albion fans still celebrating, Phillips and Harvey Barnes then hit both post and bar, coming agonisingly close to the most incredible of finishes.

It all ensured Albion head to Norwich City on Saturday up and running in the Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Head Coach Moore made two changes for the trip across the midlands, handing starts to James Morrison and on-loan debutant Tosin Adarabioyo. 

Jay Rodriguez sent an early effort over the crossbar for the Baggies while Kyle Bartley and Ahmed Hegazi combined to deny Joao Carvalho.

Lewis Grabban posed a lively threat for the Reds, blazing over after 21 minutes, before stinging the palms of Sam Johnstone with the game's first shot on target.

Forest, having enjoyed the better of the first half, could not take advantage of an Albion defensive mix-up, Johnstone doing well to push Grabban wide and help preserve the goalless scoreline heading into the break.

Although there was still time for Joe Lolley to be denied by Johnstone and both Phillips and Rodriguez go close at the other end.

Superb defending from Bartley minutes after the restart denied Grabban but it was Forest who took the lead in the 59th minute - Guedioura drilling into the bottom corner from 30 yards.

Gayle was introduced off the bench for his Baggies bow and Albion rallied in search of a leveller.

But the visitors were indebted to Johnstone for a stunning save to deny Guedioura an audacious second when he tipped wide a strike from near the halfway line.

And Albion came close to an immediate response as Gayle's effort rebounded off a post when he looked sure to find the net.

Then began a breathless finale.

After Phillips rocketed his side level with a sweet half-volley, the Scotland international and Barnes were denied by the woodwork with the seconds ticking down.

And Forest could have won it themselves, Kieran Gibbs clearing off the line from Grabban's added-time header at the end of a pulsating encounter.

ALBION: Johnstone, Adarabioyo, Bartley, Hegazi, Gibbs, Phillips, Livermore, Brunt (c), Barnes, Morrison (Gayle 61), Rodriguez (Robson-Kanu 90+3).

Subs: Myhill, Townsend, Harper, Barry, Burke.

  • Home