Tony Mowbray addresses performance in Burnley draw and Joe Wildsmith error

The makeshift Baggies were very good value for a point in the 1-1 draw at Turf Moor, where both goals arrived in three first half minutes.

John Swift's stunning free-kick gave the visitors the lead after 20 minutes but Wildsmith was unable to keep hold of a tame Lucas Pires strike allowing Zian Flemming to gobble up the rebound from six yards.

An even and competitive second half could have gone either way as both sides hit the woodwork but a draw was the fair outcome in Lancashire. Defeat to Coventry elsewhere saw a point lift the Baggies one place to fifth in the Championship.

Wildsmith has conceded one or two other uncomfortable goals in his seven-game stint as Albion first-choice following Alex Palmer's sale. He was unable to claim a cross in the recent 1-1 draw at Leeds and saw a Blackburn strike go through him in a 2-0 defeat at The Hawthorns, though Mowbray said subsequently that goal took a difficult deflection.

Asked of Burnley's equaliser, the head coach said: "It's alright. I've said that goalies are allowed a mistake now and then - as long as it's not in every game and he's costing us goals. He hasn't been.

"He hasn't had many shots against him over recent weeks and I can't really remember him making many saves tonight. He punched a few corners in the first half.

"Joe's doing really well, Josh is pushing him really hard in training every day. You're allowed to make an error every now and then, he'll be disappointed with the goal himself. It's still a top performance from the team, coming to one of the best teams in the league and giving them a good game."

Mowbray made five changes, some enforced, to his Albion side at Turf Moor.

Missing were the suspended Darnell Furlong and rested Kyle Bartley, whose knee had swollen. Bartley is being managed during a three-match week. January signing Tammer Bany has a tight groin.

Winger Tom Fellows did not travel due to a family bereavement.

Albion carried an unfamiliar line-up and bench. Set up in a back five, midfielder Ousmane Diakite was one of three centre-halves and Isaac Price was used at right wing-back. Swift was part of a three-man midfield with Grady Diangana, both of whom were unused last Saturday. Jayson Molumby remained an unused substitute given he was one yellow card from serving a two-match ban. The deadline for that punishment has now passed.

Albion's bench featured academy defenders Jamal Mohammed and Michael Parker, neither of whom have made a senior debut.

Offering his reaction to the draw, Mowbray replied: "Delighted is a bit strong! Of course we're pleased. We go to two teams in a little over a week fighting for the title and I didn't think in either game we were out-classed. I thought we were there in it. We were still throwing punches tonight.

"They are a good team, with good players, at home, they had some play around our box, but generally we could break away and flash a cross in or have a shot.

"Adam could've scored in the first half and the keeper made a decent save. Mikey's hit the crossbar in the second half, they glanced the bar and went over, ours hit the crossbar and came back into play.

"I think it was a good game of football, two teams trying to win. I'm happy enough with the point but only happy if we follow it up with three points on Saturday at home to Hull."