Alex Mowatt of West Bromwich Albion celebrates his goal against Birmingham CityGetty Images

Alex Mowatt's opener for Albion was his first goal of the season

Chris Lepkowski
BBC Sport EnglandThe Hawthorns

Marvin Ducksch scored a late equaliser for Birmingham City in a pulsating Hawthorns derby against West Bromwich Albion.

Alex Mowatt grabbed his first Championship goal of the season to give the Baggies a well-deserved lead during a dominant opening-half performance.

The visitors rallied during a thrilling second half, with German striker Ducksch grabbing his third goal in two games with a brilliant header.

Both sides had chances to win as the game became more stretched during the final throes but each had to settle for a point, which leaves Birmingham in ninth spot and West Brom 17th.

Chris Davies' Birmingham side had scored 12 goals in their past three home games but were largely second best during the opening half.

It took just 33 seconds for Albion to make their first mark on the game as Toby Collyer released the ball quickly into the path of Mikey Johnston, who spotted Isaac Price peeling off to the right and his angled rising shot sailed just over.

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Collyer was at the heart of Albion's next incisive move, freeing Callum Styles down the left and the Hungary international cut into the box to fire in a right-footed shot which James Beadle parried away.

It was to be Collyer's final contribution to the game - an injury forced him to be replaced by Ousmane Diakite just moments later.

The Baggies responded swiftly to the adversity as a quick throw into the box was nodded into the path of Mowatt, whose 20-yard low shot beat Beadle after deflecting against Christoph Klarer.

The lively Johnston threatened again before the break as his long-range effort just cleared the crossbar and Albion started the second half brightly with Aune Heggebo's header saved by Beadle.

Price twice went close in quick succession, having found himself in plenty of space down the left-hand side on each occasion, but both times he sent the ball into the stand.

Birmingham began to come into proceedings and had a loud penalty shout waved away when Patrick Roberts' low cross struck Johnston's arm as the Albion man slid in to the block the cross.

The visitors drew level in the 78th minute when Tommy Doyle's free-kick, some 30 yards from goal, was met with a deft Ducksch header that carried enough weight to clear a crowded penalty area and deceive goalkeeper Josh Griffiths.

Blues could have won it on 86 minutes when Roberts carried the ball from his own half and released substitute Kyogo Furuhashi, who turned and smashed his effort just over the bar.

Goalkeeper Griffiths twice had to come to Albion's rescue late on - first from Tomoki Iwata's strike, before reacting quickly to deny Furuhashi as the visitors ended the strongest.

'We need to be more clinical' - reaction

West Bromwich Albion boss Ryan Mason to BBC Radio WM:

"We were 1-0 up in a game we wanted to win, we created opportunities to go 2-0 up and we don't end up winning the game.

"The players put so much effort in, they are fighting for each other, showing so much quality at times, but not doing enough to get over the line. It's something we need to improve on.

"We are coming out of the wrong end of results where we have had situations to put some distance between us and the opposition. We didn't do that tonight and we got punished for it.

"We need to help the players to become more clinical because we had some big opportunities. We are creating situations, so it is disappointing. I am super-frustrated because the players gave everything tonight."

Birmingham boss Chris Davies to BBC Radio WM:

"It's a point gained from our point of view. We weren't at our best in the first half, couldn't find our rhythm and were a little bit slow with everything.

"We knew it would be tough because it was a local derby and we conceded a sloppy goal from a set-piece, which put us on the back foot and gave us a mountain to climb.

"I said to the players at half-time that we would get better and find our rhythm. We had to do things quicker. We did find our rhythm in the second half and I thought it was us in the ascendancy. I was pleased we got our set-piece goal.

"I had a feeling we would grow into the game. Being a goal down, away from home in a local derby, maybe not being at your best, to come away with a point you have to say is a good point."

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