Bristol City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion: Adam Reach salvages draw for Baggies

Karlan Grant scores for West BromImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Karlan Grant put his penalty straight down the middle for West Brom's first equaliser

West Bromwich Albion substitute Adam Reach scored with virtually the last kick of the game to salvage a draw for Steve Bruce's side at Bristol City.

Andreas Weimann's late volley had looked like consigning the Baggies to an 11th away Championship defeat of the season, which would have seen their lingering play-off hopes fade even further.

But the Robins have an infuriating habit of not seeing out games, with Reach's composed finish the eighth time this term they have conceded after the 89th minute to drop points.

Former Aston Villa and Derby striker Weimann teed up Nahki Wells for a simple opener for the hosts, with Karlan Grant's penalty - after Kyle Bartley was clattered by Robins keeper Daniel Bentley - pulling West Brom level before the frantic finale.

The point extends the visitors' unbeaten run to four and leaves them 12th, seven points from the final play-off place with eight games remaining, while Nigel Pearson's Bristol City stay 18th and well clear of any trouble.

Wells was introduced as a sixth-minute replacement for injured Robins team-mate Antoine Semenyo and showed a poacher's instinct to knock in Weimann's low cross for his first goal at Ashton Gate since last April.

They should have been further ahead by the interval, with Robbie Cundy's header bringing an excellent full-stretch save out of Sam Johnstone and Chris Martin somehow putting a cross over from close-range.

Bruce's Baggies were looking a shadow of the side that beat leaders Fulham in midweek, with January acquisition Daryl Dike still not in the squad as he recovers from a hamstring problem.

However, when Grant had a goal ruled out after the break because strike partner Callum Robinson was offside and interfering with play, it seemed to spark them into life.

Home goalkeeper Bentley caught Bartley while trying to punch the ball clear, with Grant converting for his fourth goal in four matches, and though Weimann's 18th goal of the season could have broken Albion hearts, they came again and sub Reach completed a slick move to earn a share of the spoils.

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"The two goals we conceded are a real headache again because one's a penalty and the second one, from our perspective, is just another avoidable goal.

"The same players keep making the same mistakes, unfortunately, and it's costing us.

"But we played pretty well and scored two great goals against a side who should be better placed than they are."

West Brom manager Steve Bruce told BBC Radio WM:

"The first half we were nowhere near the levels of where we were on Tuesday [against Fulham].

"Second half we had more control in the game and if anybody was going to win it then I thought it would be us, especially when we scored with the penalty.

"The spirit amongst them in the second half, to get something out of the game, pleased me more than the performance."

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