ALBION’s under-23s played out an entertaining 1-1 Premier League 2 Division Two draw with Manchester United on a foggy evening at The Hawthorns.
Jonathan Leko created the opening chance for the young Baggies inside 13 minutes when he fired over, before Oliver Burke then saw his shot saved by Matej Kovar following a good run.
The Red Devils grew into the game after that and were denied the lead on 34 minutes as Alex Palmer produced a fantastic save to keep Ethan Hamilton’s powerful close-range effort out.
Their momentum continued into the early parts of the second-half, Callum Whelan nearly netting with a flick that came back off the crossbar.
Albion struck the woodwork themselves just past the hour mark through Kyle Edwards’ volley - but they didn't have to wait long to go ahead because, on 69 minutes, Dan Meredith nodded home George Harmon’s deep cross.
Jamie Smith’s side held onto their advantage right up until the 87th minute when United were awarded a penalty, with substitute Josh Bohui sending Palmer the wrong way to equalise.
The Baggies rallied, though, and pushed to try and find the goal that would earn them all three points as the game went into stoppage time, George Harmon going particularly close when his free-kick was brilliantly saved.
Morton looked to have been brought down in the box with just seconds remaining, but despite strong Albion shouts the referee wasn’t interested and the points were shared.
ALBION: Palmer, Ferguson, Howkins, Healy; Meredith, Field, Azaz, Harmon; Edwards, Burke (Morton 45), Leko (Clayton-Phillips 70).
Substitutes: Keranovic, Ashton, Rogers.
