Chris Mepham scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer as West Brom ended a run of 10 consecutive away defeats with a 1-1 draw at Derby in the Championship.
Eric Ramsey may have been under pressure less than two weeks after taking over after the Baggies’ second straight defeat, but he was able to end Albion’s disastrous away run by picking up his first point 114 days since his last one away.
Albion goalkeeper Max O’Leary, signed from Bristol City on Thursday, was pushed straight in but dropped the ball for the opener, allowing Patrick Agyeman to make the mistake of slamming in his eighth goal of the season.
West Brom looked to be running out of ideas, but a flurry of chances in stoppage time ended with Mepham’s header just over the goal line, giving his team their first point in five games.
Derby failed to secure what would have been their third consecutive win, missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs for the first time since August 2019.
West Brom were looking to shake off an onslaught from Norwich on Tuesday, forcing them to take the lead several times early on. Jason Molumby’s shot from outside the area was easily met by Jacob Wider Zetterström and George Campbell sent his header just wide of the target.
Derby were starting to get frustrated, but a vulnerable West Brom managed to shoot themselves in the foot and take a goal with the Rams’ first shot just before half-time.
County were awarded a free-kick deep in the Baggies half and Callum Elder’s cross looked like it would reach O’Leary, but he dropped it onto the toes of Agyemang, who happily slotted it into the gaping goal.
West Brom looked to have the upper hand throughout and the second period started the same way, with Callum Styles’ shot from range testing the palms of Zetterstrom.
Things got tense at Pride Park as Derby gave away the ball too easily on several occasions and West Brom were able to create a chance for Isaac Price, but his shot went wide.
Derby almost got their second goal when Ben Brereton Dias was one-on-one with O’Leary, but his shot went wide of the goal.
Breton Diaz then headed Joe Ward’s ball wide and close to scoring again.
However, West Brom scored an unexpected goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Zetterstrom denied Josh Maja’s shot at the back post, but Derby claimed the keeper had not touched the ball, but from a corner Mepham forced a header over the goal line.
