West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Queens Park Rangers: Visitors claim point after two-goal comeback
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Brandon Thomas-Asante scored West Brom's first goal from open play in three games
Chris Martin's second-half goal gave struggling Queens Park Rangers a vital point after they fought from two goals down at The Hawthorns to damage West Bromwich Albion's Championship play-off hopes.
Home goalkeeper Josh Griffiths' attempted clearance ricocheted into the net off Martin to end QPR's four-match losing run and moved them two points clear of the relegation zone.
Familiar defensive frailties initially cost the R's when they allowed John Swift's 10th-minute free-kick to curl into the path of Brandon Thomas-Asante at the far post and he nudged in his eighth goal of the season.
Seeking a first win in four matches, Albion swiftly capitalised on more unconvincing defending three minutes later as Semi Ajayi poked in from close range after QPR keeper Seny Dieng had parried Swift's shot.
Action for Albion staged a protest against West Brom owner Guochuan Lai
An estimated 2,000 supporters from fans' group Action for Albion staged a protest against owner Guochuan Lai before the game. Around half of those would not have been watching when the Baggies scored their goals because they chose to delay their entry and attendance until 12 minutes into the match as part of the demonstration.
QPR looked short on confidence and conviction following a run of nine defeats in 10 matches.
But Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes changed the momentum of the game in the 22nd minute, expertly guiding a header into the far corner from Ilias Chair's inviting right-wing cross.
His first away goal of the campaign seemed to unsettle West Brom, who were playing at home on Easter Monday for the first time since a goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers in 2006.
Carlos Corberan's side threatened when Conor Townsend skimmed an angled effort wide before Martin's 49th-minute leveller.
The draw left West Brom 11th, five points behind sixth-placed Blackburn in the final play-off place.
Third-bottom Reading's defeat at Preston, coupled with fourth-bottom Cardiff's loss at Sunderland, relieved some of the pressure on QPR with five games left.
West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
"We had the advantage and we had all the possibilities to increase it. We lost it. Josh Griffiths has to feel disappointed with what happened and the result, just like every player on the pitch.
"Every time you lose or draw a game when you have been winning, everyone is going to be affected. We need to win football matches and in the last four we couldn't win, including three draws. If you don't win, you are not going to get better in the table.
"Kyle Bartley felt something against Rotherham, that's why he couldn't play. Daryl Dike felt sick for the past two days, that's why we couldn't give him more than a few minutes. Okay Yokuslu has an ankle problem - we are focused on his recovery for the next one [at Stoke City on Saturday]."
QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Radio London:
"It's not just a point - it's the way we got it; the performance. Outstanding from the boys and if we keep playing like that then we'll stay in the Championship, without a doubt. We had some real moments today and we haven't seen that for a while at this club.
"The fans were sensational, they really got us home. They need to know we had an 11-hour day on Saturday. The players weren't at home with their families. I got them in, working and talking, telling each other what it's going to take to stay in this league. All I want from them is to give everything.
"We'll win the next one. Friday was our lowest ebb. If we play like today, we'll get enough points to stay in this Championship. Let me sort things out and make a real assault on this league next year - I can't wait."