Match Reports

Albion v Nottingham Forest report

Jay Rodriguez scored late to earn Albion a 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw with Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns.

The visitors capitalised on a misplaced pass to register a sixth-minute lead as Ryan Yates looked to convert from close range, with Stefan Johansen unfortunate to get the final touch and credited with an own goal.

Jacob Murphy levelled for the Baggies in the 54th minute, his first goal for the Club, coming after Rekeem Harper had sent a thunderous long-range effort against the crossbar.

Yates netted what looked like a winner for Forest in the 65th-minute with a volley off the post, but Rodriguez converted a late penalty after Dwight Gayle was fouled inside the area grab a share of the spoils.

Darren Moore's side showed two changes from Saturday's win at Stoke City, Tosin Adarabioyo and Harper coming in for the injured Ahmed Hegazi and Gareth Barry, who was rested to the bench.

Yet it was the East Midlands visitors, making their first visit since 2010, who took an early lead.

Ben Osborn pounced on a misplaced ball out from defence and fed Jack Colback, who played a one-two with Lewis Grabban before squaring across goal for Yates to convert from close range, with Johansen unfortunate to get the final touch.

Albion rallied in response but were thwarted in their efforts to find a route through a resilient Forest defence, Costel Pantilimon getting down well to collect Murphy's dangerous ball across the six-yard area in the 38th minute.

However, Albion and their home support came to life in the 53rd minute courtesy of a thunderous 20-yard volley from Harper which cannoned off the crossbar.

It sparked the hosts and they duly levelled just a minute later.

Dwight Gayle's left-wing cross was cleared only as far as the onrushing Mason Holgate, whose shot was inadvertently blocked by Jay Rodriguez and the ball fell for Murphy to slot home through the legs of Pantilimon from six yards.

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Barry replaced Jake Livermore to take the captain's armband in the 64th minute, yet the visitors regained the lead just a minute later.

Jack Robinson's long throw-in found it's way to Lewis Grabban in the area and he touched for Yates to convert off the inside of the woodwork.

Albion pushed forward in the final stages to try and equalise for a second time, and the pressure finally paid off when Dwight Gayle was brought down in the 89th minute.

Rodriguez kept his cool to smash the ball into the bottom left corner from the spot and ensure Albion picked up what could turn out to be an important point.

Albion: Johnstone, Holgate, Dawson, Adarabioyo, Gibbs, Harper, Livermore (c) (Barry 64), Johansen (Hoolahan 70), Murphy, Rodriguez, Gayle.

Subs: Bond, Mears, Bartley, Field, Tulloch.

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