Match Reports

Albion 1-1 Stoke

An image of Grady Diangana and Callum Styles celebrating a goal against Stoke

Albion came from behind to draw 1-1 against Stoke City at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

Although Nathan Lowe’s early goal handed the Potters a half-time advantage, Grady Diangana’s deserved leveller ensured the Sky Bet Championship points were shared.

The Baggies, now unbeaten in nine home matches, face Middlesbrough away this Tuesday, in what will be new boss Tony Mowbray’s official first match.

An image of Tony Mowbray waving to the Hawthorns crowd

Mowbray was presented to The Hawthorns crowd before kick-off - the head coach receiving a standing ovation from all four stands 

Albion - wearing black armbands following the sad passing of Manchester United legend Denis Law - created the first opening when Tom Fellows cut inside and saw a shot deflected inches wide.

However, the visitors took an eighth minute lead moments later via Lowe, the attacker netting after the ball fortuitously reached him inside the box.

There was a lull in action until around the half-hour mark, with Alex Mowatt hitting a free-kick into the wall and Jayson Molumby then sliding a golden chance just past the post.

Mikey Johnston also curled one off-target as half-time closed in, yet ultimately Stoke led come the break.

An image of Mikey Johnston on the ball against Stoke

The Baggies’ search for a goal continued during the second half’s initial period, and they went close when Torbjorn Heggem headed a Johnston cross narrowly over.

Tom Fellows’ fierce shot soon experienced the same fate in a dominant Albion spell, where Karlan Grant had an attempt blocked, too.

Finally, though, the equaliser arrived - and it was a cracker. Johnston’s excellent, whipped cross found Diangana, and he wonderfully smashed it in.

An image of Grady Diangana celebrating a goal against Stoke

And the hosts might have grabbed a winner towards the end, but Callum Styles, Darnell Furlong, Molumby and Grant all failed to convert opportunities.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Holgate, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows (Cole 90), Diangana (Wallace 77), Johnston; Grant.

Substitutes: Wildsmith, Taylor, Frabotta, Diakite, Racic, Whitwell, Swift.

Attendance: 25,679 (2,502).