West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Nottingham Forest: Jay Rodriguez penalty earns hosts draw

Jay Rodriguez scored a controversial late penalty as West Bromwich Albion twice came from behind to earn a draw against fellow-promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns.

Forest, who drop to five points off the play-off places, had a deserved half-time lead when a miscued Ryan Yates strike following a slick team move was unluckily deflected into his own net by Stefan Johansen.

But a much-improved home side upped the tempo in the second period and, after Rekeem Harper's sublime volley hit the bar, Jacob Murphy's first Albion goal made it 1-1 following an almighty goalmouth scramble.

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Ryan Yates appeared to have won all three points when he struck home after a neat lay-off by Lewis Grabban.

But Rodriguez kept his composure amid furious Forest protests following referee Lee Mason's spot-kick decision to move the Baggies to within four points of second-placed Leeds.

Even more controversy followed when Forest had strong shouts for a penalty of their own in injury-time as Joe Lolley had his shirt tugged by Kieran Gibbs in the box.

But Mason ignored calls for a second penalty, meaning Forest have now not won away from home in the league in seven matches.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Darren Moore told BBC WM:

"I'm delighted with the point because tonight's performance was a bit lethargic. Maybe for the first time, is that the volume of games that we've been playing in the Championship?

"The only reason I say that is because all 11 were off colour tonight.

"But we kept on right to the end and that determination won us a point."

Nottingham Forest manager Martin O'Neill told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"Naturally we thought it was a dive. The ref has made an honest mistake. I have spoken to him and he said that's what he thought he saw.

"It would have been a terrific result away from home against a side vying for automatic promotion.

"It was also a clear penalty [on Joe Lolley]. It's disappointing, but we played well. Our first goal was a delight.

"Overall I was delighted with the team. Physically they made a big, big effort They worked exceptionally hard. I'm disappointed for them and I'm disappointed for the fans."