Omari Hutchinson netted an injury time leveller as Town and West Brom drew 2-2 at Portman Road. Tom Fellows’s 18th-minute goal gave the visitors the lead before Nathan Broadhead levelled seconds after half-time, but Albion sub John Swift restored the Baggies’ lead with 14 minutes to go, before Hutchinson grabbed a deserved second equaliser for Town three minutes into time added on, the Blues having dominated the second half.

Kieffer Moore was handed his full Town debut and Nathan Broadhead returned to the XI with Kayden Jackson and ex-Baggies loanee Jeremy Sarmiento dropping to the bench.

Centre-half George Edmundson kept his place in the side despite Cameron Burgess’s return from international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup with the former Accrington man not in the 20.

Albion made one change from the team which beat Birmingham 1-0 at home last week with goalscorer Andreas Weimann coming in for John Swift, who was among the subs.

The visitors struck the first shot of the match at the end of the first minute, Fellows cutting in from the left after the Baggies had countered following a Town attack, but sent the ball well into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

West Brom continued to have the better of the game in the opening minutes, Weimann sending a dangerous ball over from the right in the eighth minute, but fortunately beyond Brandon Thomas-Asante.

Town began to take control as the game moved past the 10-minute mark and on 13 skipper Sam Morsy played a clever chipped pass over the top into Conor Chaplin on the left of the area. The forward knocked it back towards Moore but it was cleared before it came down to a height which afforded the striker the opportunity to shoot.

However, the Baggies remained a threat and in the 17th minute Weimann shot over the bar after a corner had been half-cleared to him at the back of the box.

A minute later, Davis was fed in on the left of the area and crossed for Moore, who nodded back across towards Chaplin, but an Albion toe took it away from the Blues’ top scorer as he prepared to strike.

Almost immediately, the visitors took the lead. The ball was played down the left for Fellows to chase and the one-time Crawley loanee outmuscled Luke Woolfenden, who had initially looked favourite to win it, cut inside and hit a low shot past Vaclav Hladky to the keeper’s right, the 20-year-old’s third goal in five games.

The Blues didn’t seem unduly impacted by the goal and took the game to Albion in the minutes after going behind and on 24 should have levelled.

Broadhead was sent away on the left and Kyle Bartley diverted his low cross out to Chaplin on the penalty spot. The forward seemed certain to add to his nine goals but blazed over the bar. The former Barnsley man’s frustration was plain to seem.

As the game moved towards the half-hour mark, Morsy was shown the game’s first yellow card for pulling back Fellows as the earlier scorer threatened to get away just inside the Town half.

On 34, Town almost profited from West Brom getting themselves into trouble playing out from the back - eventually, the visitors having taken an age over restarts with referee David Coote doing little to remedy the situation - and Morsy ultimately hit a low shot which was little trouble for Albion keeper Alex Palmer.

Coote finally did take note of the home crowd’s frustration with the time-wasting as Albion tardily prepared to take a throw but even so just made it clear that he was aware what was going on rather than showing any cards.

Town were continuing to see most of the ball but without seriously testing Palmer. In the 38th minute, Chaplin moved the ball wide to Wes Burns on the right from where the Wales international struck a shot which deflected wide off one-time Blues target Conor Townsend.

In the 43rd minute, the ball was played to Harry Clarke 30 yards out and the full-back brought it forward a few yards before hitting a shot which looked on its way over but which Palmer helped it on its way in any case. Town’s corner, like their previous three, came to nothing with their set pieces having been underwhelming.

As the half moved into the second minute of a very conservative additional two, referee Coote finally took action regarding the time-wasting, booking Darnell Furlong as he took a typically leisurely approach to taking a throw-in.

The boos at the half-time whistle - blown with Baggies defender Bartley down injured - were aimed at the referee for the inaction regarding West Brom’s time-wasting, which had started as soon as they had taken the lead.

Town had once again started slowly but had got themselves into the game and were largely in control when they were caught on the counter-attack, not for the first time during the half, for Fellows’s goal, although Woolfenden will feel he should have done much, much better.

From there, the Blues saw most of the ball and much of the game was played in the West Brom half but aside from Chaplin’s chance, which the Town top scorer really should have netted, few big chances had been created.

The Baggies had defended in numbers and kept things tight in the final third, making it difficult for the Blues to find space, while continuing to look a threat on the break.

But Town were far from out of it at the break and one moment of inspiration would find a way through the Baggies’ backline - with Bartley making way at the break and Nathaniel Chalobah taking over - and change the complexion of the match.

And that moment of inspiration came in the opening minute of the second period. After his long throw had been headed out, Clarke returned the ball, Edmundson flicked on and Broadhead did well to keep the ball down and guide it past Palmer from beyond the far post, the Welsh international’s ninth goal of the season, ending a run of eight matches without a goal.

The leveller changed the mood around Portman Road and the Blues remained on the front foot, winning a corner in the 49th minute which again came to nothing and led to a West Brom counter-attack. Clarke dived in on visitors skipper Jed Wallace 30 yards out and was booked and vehemently protested his innocence, however, the full-back appeared to have got the man before the ball. Albion were unable to make anything of the free-kick.

In the 54th minute, Morsy, who started his career with the Baggies greatest rivals Wolves, his hometown club, unleashed a powerful strike from distance which just flew over Palmer’s bar with the keeper appearing to get a touch, although referee Coote decided otherwise and gave a goal-kick.

West Brom made the game’s first changes on 56, Daryl Dike and Michael Johnston replacing Thomas-Asante and goalscorer Fellows.

Moments later, there was controversy when Weimann palmed the ball into the net at the far post after a cross from the right had reached him. Fortunately for the Blues, referee Coote spotted it, disallowed the goal and booked the former Aston Villa and Bristol City man.

As the game passed the hour mark, the game was continuing in a familiar pattern. The Blues were seeing most of the ball and were in control except when the lost it and West Brom looked dangerous on the break.

Palmer was forced into his best save of the afternoon on 61 when Burns cut back to Chaplin from the right and the forward hit a well-struck effort. Two minutes later, Clarke cut in from the right and his shot was blocked.

The Baggies were forced into a change in the 65th minute after sub Dike picked up an injury and was clearly upset having only just returned to fitness.

Swift took over but the game was subsequently held up as the stretcher cart picked up the stricken Albion player and took him back to the tunnel. Given the earlier time-wasting, the Town support was less than convinced that the cart had been required.

Town made their first changes of the afternoon in the 74th minute when Marcus Harness and Omari Hutchinson replaced Chaplin and Burns.

Seconds after the change, Okay Yokuslu played a backpass without looking, forcing Palmer to scramble back and slide the ball away from his line.

It was to prove an important interception with Albion taking the lead in the 77th minute. Harness lost out midway inside the Town half and the ball was eventually played to Swift, who struck a low 25-yard shot just inside Hladky’s right post, scuffing the woodwork on its way through.

The goal was harsh on the Blues, who had been well on top since the break but without creating many significant chances.

Town made two further changes on 83, Ali Al-Hamadi and Sarmiento replacing Luongo and Broadhead, while Albion swapped Pipa for Weimann.

Four minutes later, Hutchinson cut in from the right of the box and hit a low shot which was too close to Palmer.

On 88, Sarmiento sent over a dangerous low ball from the byline on the right, which took a deflection and Palmer was forced to dive and bat into the middle of his area but with no Town player on hand to seize on the opportunity.

The Blues had lost their impetus somewhat in the closing stages but the fourth official’s board indicating an additional eight minutes renewed the energy off the pitch, and on it.

In the third minute of added-on time, Clarke nodded the ball down to Moore, whose shot on the turn was diverted behind by Palmer.

And from the resultant corner, ahead of which the Blues had swapped Davis for Cameron Humphreys, Town scored their second equaliser. The ball was nodded out to Morsy, who took a touch before hitting a shot, which struck Swift and was diverted out to Hutchinson, who feinted before slamming a low shot through a crowd of players and into the net to send Portman Road wild.

The crowd sensed there was still time for the Blues to grab a leveller and the noise went up a notch for the final few minutes as Town put the Baggies under relentless pressure.

Town went close to grabbing a famous winner when Al-Hamadi powerfully hooked goalwards but Palmer reacted quickly to keep it out down to his left.

At the whistle, most of the Albion players crashed to the turf having given their all to keep Town out during the second half.

Town were well worth their late equaliser - which prevented West Brom inflicting the Blues’ second double of the season and the first back-to-back league defeats of McKenna’s time as boss - with the Baggies’ second goal having come via one of their very few second half chances, Town having been much the better side after the break, albeit without creating too many clear-cut chances even if for the third game running McKenna’s men had carved out more than 20 shots.

But once again Town found themselves having to launch a comeback after going behind relatively early on, something they’ve had to do all too regularly of late.

However, overall, despite the Blues having won only one in their last nine, it was a positive display and West Brom, who remain fifth, 11 points behind Town, will almost certainly take points off at least some of the other challengers towards the top of the division.

The Blues are next in action at Millwall on Wednesday with another away trip, to Swansea, next Saturday.

Town: Hladky, Clarke, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Davis (Humphreys 93), Morsy (c), Luongo (Al-Hamadi 83), Burns (Hutchinson 74), Chaplin (Harness 74), Broadhead (Sarmiento 83), Moore. Unused: Walton, Tuanzebe, Travis, Jackson.

West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Townsend, Kipre, Bartley (Chalobah 46), Wallace (c), Weimann (Pipa 83), Thomas-Asante (Dike 56 (Swift 65)), Mowatt, Fellows (Johnston 55), Yokuslu. Unused: Griffiths, Pieters, Marshall, Hall. Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).

Photo: Matchday Images

Rimsy added 17:29 - Feb 10 Wolfenden has got to be dropped after that performance. No way would they have scored the first goal with Axel in the side, he'd have cleared the ball and if necessary, the player before he got anywhere near the goal. Wolf also so slow coming out with the ball, even when we're running out of time. Al-Hamadi looked excellent when he came on. Start him next time.
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inghamspur added 17:41 - Feb 10 Terrific game and we almost snatched it at the end. Woolfenden not good enough at this level I'm afraid, no pace.
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Saxonblue74 added 18:27 - Feb 10 Here's a genuine question. If a defender deliberately hand balls to prevent a goal its an instant red card and a penalty. If a player scores with a deliberate hand ball it's a yellow card. Why?
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patty76 added 18:56 - Feb 10 Good second half performance turning what would have been a negative result into a very positive draw attacking wise second half was good performance. I’m feeling like the Moore and Al Hamada partnership has real potential to light up the rest of the season..! However defensively I feel we are inept for me Cam Burgess should have come back in, he is by far our best centre half this season and for me a candidate for player of the season (sorry but whilst Edmunson played well in January he makes to many mistakes) and as for Wolfie whilst I love the fact he is a local lad he never gets tight enough to his man and for me I would like to see Tuenzabe have a run of, 5 or 6 games to see what he can do we can’t continue to give away two goals a game and expect to get promotion.

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Paulc added 18:59 - Feb 10 Can we please make sure Dannyitfc gets nowhere near the team. Can you imagine him trying to give the lads the belief they’ll need to see out the season? What a f******* doom monger. Really don’t need fans like that around.
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RobsonWark added 19:00 - Feb 10 Whenever there is a 1 on 1 with Wolfy we know we are in trouble. The guy is useless and was totally showed up again today with their first goal. The guy is useless, yes I said it again because he is useless. I will keep on saying it. He is useless. And he was giving Morsy instructions today. He is useless.
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oldtimer3 added 19:11 - Feb 10 Watching the matches on tv lately because I just can't get a ticket. I notice we are struggling to create much in the first half of games. Some of the starting line-up are clearly out of form. So drop them to the bench. We have spent over a million on Al homadi he must be played from the start along side Moore. Onwards and Upwards!
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RobsonWark added 19:18 - Feb 10 Our weakest links are Clarke and Wolfy. Opposition teams must look at them and think, wow! this is going to be a field day. How many times have opposition teams attacked down our right and cut inside Clarke, shot and scored a goal. Wolfy is useless. I get the feeling Clarke and Wolfy are only playing because they are local lads.
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FrankMarshall added 19:29 - Feb 10 We are starting to lose track of the top 3. Important we start to win some games again and get back in the mix. WBA fans singing "you haven't won since Maidstone" were silenced in injury time. That was the most satisfying part of the match.
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barrystedmunds added 19:56 - Feb 10 A point against one of the better championship experienced teams and probably deserving of 3 and the comments on here are like we’re facing relegation! Yes, our defensive frailties are there for all to see but this continual bleating that we should have strengthened in the transfer window fails to mention, with who??? Expectations of promotion to the promised land have taken over the asylum!!! We are a league 1 team getting to grips with this extremely tough league which contain some premiership savvy teams. Of course promotion would be an amazing achievement but where we are just now is a massive jump where we were 18 months ago. Some folk have short memories! Just my opinion!

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warfarinman69 added 19:57 - Feb 10 Yes, Fridge was good again, apart from dodgy pass in build up to their 2nd goal. Woolfie is a liability. In my view simply not good enough at this level. Rest of team are doing a good job, but there may be a question over GK. Their keeper would have saved second WBA goal. I suspect Walton would too. But resilience is great, football is exciting again. I would have taken top 6 at start of season so we'll done McK and all

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ThaiBlue added 20:06 - Feb 10 Drop Clarke and woolfenden hes so poor.get burgess in asap.please give Hamada a start with Hutchinson also.we need to start our games quicker and put it to bed instead of chasing all the time.need a couple of wins soon.
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Phillius added 20:09 - Feb 10 Anyone notice the similarity between Maidstone's first goal and the one from West Brom today? If we don't get promoted it will be down to defensive frailties. Good the Burgess will be back which my shore thing up hopefully. The final third of the game was like the Town with their tails up before new year. Still everything to play for. COYB
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planetblue_2011 added 20:22 - Feb 10 We gave away two poor goals bad defending on both goals. That’s the only reason WBA got a point today. We took our goals well & loved the way we played right till the end, never gave up & should have won the game. The West Brom players were knackered at the end all laying down, we battered them. Basically if we didn’t get anything from the game it would have been so unfair. We were cheated by West Brom with all their time wasting & falling over like pansies. The officials were awful too. The referee’s get worse & ruin the game they should be so much better in this league. Prem ref I hear!! COYB keep on going

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BuckieBlue added 20:48 - Feb 10 An extra positive about the late goal, it should pretty much guarantee top 4 (at least). A lot riding on next few games for us; get our form/results back we must have a top 2 chance- I wouldn't want Soton's away fixtures (got play all of the top 5, plus the distraction of an Anfield cup visit) and let's see how Leeds away form holds up. COYB
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bluesince76 added 21:30 - Feb 10 Wolfenden Clarke and harness don't offer much need replacing next window.
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IPSWICH1078 added 21:36 - Feb 10 We're averaging 2 points a game. This is still incredible even though we've slipped a little lately. We've played Leeds,Leicester and West Brom twice. Southampton have still got some tough games against Leeds and Leicester. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways soon! Let's enjoy the ride!!
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RobsonWark added 22:21 - Feb 10 It's the same as last season. 16 December till 14 February. We are not going to kick on till next Saturday.
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exeterblue10 added 23:14 - Feb 10 Oldburian, I think it was announced as 29,016 with about 1600 WBA fans. But my hearing isn’t what it used to be!
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Carberry added 23:56 - Feb 10 Because we all would have accepted top 4 at the start of the season doesn't mean we can't have a view about our weaknesses because the performances recently have been below par and some players are being found out. There's no questioning the commitment of the players, the points won from losing positions testifies to that, however as the season progresses teams are finding our weak spots. Defensively we aren't the team we were, Clarke and Woolfenden are being exposed, as is Hladky. Our best players aren't performing, Chaplin and Burns are shadows of themselves and Broadhead has been largely anonymous recently. Moore has been bought to solve the goals problem but there was no sign we knew how to find the solution today. And finally McKenna's decision making, Moore didn't start last week, players out of form still being picked while exciting talent sits on the bench, Humphries comes on at 90 minutes, was Burgess tired or unfit, or not had time to train with the team, what has happened to Tuanzebe, some on here were saying he would be solve all our problems. And Brandon Williams, what's the truth about him? There are many questions and we all have the right to air them, if you want to just believe in everything McKenna does then great but don't take liberties with other people's views.

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blueboy1981 added 08:24 - Feb 11 Carberry - 100% agree with that.
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joyousblue added 08:30 - Feb 11 I am proud to be a blue home n away im there , we never expected to be 4 th in the championship if you take away the three relegated premiership sides .rewarded for basically being rubbish , we are technically the best side in the championship , im fed up of hearing why did we not strenghen the defence ,we can only buy players if clubs are willing to let them go , and like gallagher we will not be held to ransome by overly inflated demands , but in the choice of moore we are paying 75 per cent of his wages thats our determination to get to the premier , im sick of fans who have every right to thier opinion , moaning about this or that , have you forgotten our last seasonin championship , we are top 6 will stay top 6 in playoffs we have every chance , not given up on top two ,but look at plymouth weds mid tsble low table , im so happy so proud of this club

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Marinersnose added 08:44 - Feb 11 Many with short memories regarding Tuanzebe. If you can recall his last two games I think there’s your answer as to why he hasn’t played. He wasn’t at the races and distribution was poor. We have league one centre backs who have done a decent job at the top of the Championship but those that do understand the game (a few I believe) can see the obvious weaknesses but these cannot be addressed quickly. Davis is our standout performer and is likely to be a PL player next season without a doubt. We have to enjoy the ride. Rome wasn’t built in a day . Ask Juergen Klopp.

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algarvefan added 08:59 - Feb 11 Just like last season at this exact time we need to start winning and believing again. Every team has a bad spell, well I think ours is nearly over, a couple of wins and we'll be back at it. I think 2nd place may be a stretch, but be honest who would have taken a play-off place at the start of the season!! So people, deep breath and lets go with our remaining games, our run in doesn't look too bad. The one thing you can't fault Ipswich with is their ability not to give up, the fight and determination has been seen in the last 2 games and I'm enjoying the football too, we should all be proud of the journey we are on.

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budgieplucker added 09:11 - Feb 11 60 points from 30 games that in most leagues is automatic promotion form and significant stretch target for any team in the Championship who lack the resources of a club that has the riches of recent premiership parachute payments. Leicester squad in the value of £400 million v Town’s £10 million!!! We have just navigated through what on paper could be argued as the toughest spell of fixtures over the last two months. Been subjected to some very poor refereeing decisions during that spell. Maybe a blip in form but we are still on target I would suggest in chasing 92 points. Let’s worry if that’s enough at the end of the season. On paper based on our overall form to date over the 30 league games this is still achievable. That doesn’t mean that from time to time as fans who pay a lot of hard earned cash travelling the country to support the team that we shouldn’t get wrapped up in the emotion and frustrated with events and keep replaying the what if’s from moments in the game. Kieron will make mistakes and on all the good things he has brought and done for the club we should hold the thought in our minds that we are a work in progress and we can get better, and we sometimes let the dream and our impatience get the better of us. I for one feel the games have turned recently when we bring on our subs and show the greater intensity and will to go and win games but frustrated that we seem to leave it too late and run out of time when we have the opposition reeling and on the ropes and arguing with myself as to why we can’t have that for longer spells during the whole 90 minutes.0 Nevertheless less the fair and realistic side of me tells me that indeed we are a work in progress and having a fantastic season. Let’s just keep aiming to stay on track for the 2 points a game target and whatever the outcome this will have proven to be one of the best seasons in memory in the last decade or so.

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