Match Reports

Preston 1-1 Albion

An image of Karlan Grant scoring against Preston

Albion and Preston shared the Sky Bet Championship spoils with a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.

Emil Riis’ second-half strike cancelled out a sumptuous, early Karlan Grant goal at Deepdale.

The Baggies, now unbeaten in 10 matches despite nine of those being ties, have eight days until their next fixture, when they host Sheffield United next Sunday.

An image of Torbjorn Heggem on the ball at Preston

Carlos Corberán made three changes from the Sunderland draw, bringing in Darnell Furlong, Uros Racic and Lewis Dobbin - the latter starting for the first time since joining.

His side began strongly and - after Grant had an earlier effort tipped around the post - the in-form attacker gave Albion the lead on 13 minutes.

A wonderful move involving Mason Holgate, Josh Maja and Tom Fellows played Albion’s No.18 through, and his delicate dink sent the 3,000-strong away fans wild.

An image of Karlan Grant celebrating the opening goal against Preston

Preston attempted a comeback before the break mainly via Josh Bowler, who saw one effort saved, another fly wide and a third cleared excellently off the line by Holgate.

The Baggies resumed control quickly, though, and saw out the remainder of the period to take in a one-goal advantage.

An image of Josh Maja on the ball at Preston

North End came flying out following the interval and almost equalised immediately, finding Torbjorn Heggem in the way as he bravely blocked Andrew Hughes’ close-range smash.

But the leveller did arrive on the 55-minute mark, Riis finishing well into the bottom corner and making it 1-1.

Midway through the half, the visitors eventually regained their composure, stopped Preston scoring again and flipped the game’s momentum.

Substitute Jayson Molumby was unbelievably denied inside the box when Albion took advantage of a quick free-kick, while Grant also watched a PNE defender deflect his shot wide.

Down the other end, Palmer excellently parried Sam Greenwood’s set-piece and Ali McCann fired over - however they were the last chances, ensuring a point apiece.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Holgate, Bartley, Heggem; Fellows (Johnston 75), Racic (Swift 85), Mowatt (Molumby 68), Dobbin (Styles 68); Grant, Maja (Wallace 85).

Substitutes: Wildsmith, Diomande, Frabotta, Cole.