Mowbray salutes the fans

Tony Mowbray's programme notes urging the Hawthorns hoards to back his team were not left ignored as the home faithful helped the Baggies to twice comeback from two goals down. Albion were behind in the opening moments when a deflected Paul Parry shot looped over Dean Kiely to give the visitors an early advantage. The task was made even harder for the league leaders when Parry continued the scoring on 33 minutes after waltzing through the home side's defence and sliding the ball under Kiely.

Roman Bednar continued his impressive scoring run with a header in the 35^th minute following a Jonathan Greening free-kick. As Albion pushed forward in the second-half for an equaliser Cardiff extended their two goal advantage when Joe Ledley took advantage of further defensive errors in the 52^nd minute.

However Albion were not to be denied a share of the points with Martin Albrechtsen first rising home to head home a corner in the 72^nd minute then Cardiff defender Roger Johnson scoring an own-goal two minutes from time.

Backed by a noisy crowd of 22,325 at a rainy Hawthorns, Tony Mowbray praised his players and the fans after the game for their never say die attitude.

"I said in my programme notes today how much we need the supporters," Mowbray said after the game.

"I have to say a big thank you to them.

"They created a fantastic atmosphere to help dig it out for us today.

"Their vocal backing helped drive the team on and that backing comes from the belief they have that this team can score goals.

"It was a great game.

"You've got to give Cardiff lots of credit for being a good football team.

"They're having a good season after a difficult start and I'm sure if they continue to play like that they'll be fine.

"Great credit must go to our players for the way they went after the game.

"There are few disappointed people in our dressing room because we didn't win the game, which is quite a statement from being 2-0 and 3-1 down.

"The opportunities were there late on for us to win the game.

"Zoltan had a back-post header straight at the keeper and a volley which flashed across the face of goal.

"If you enjoy football, it was a great spectacle."

Albion's point extended their lead in the Championship to three points after Bristol City lost away to in-form Crystal Palace and Watford could only draw at home against Charlton Athletic. The point, along with the desire of the players after enduring extra-time on Tuesday in the FA Cup, delighted Mowbray with the boss praising his battling team.

"It was a fabulous effort to muster such a drive in the second half," Mowbray continued.

"We needed the intensity because they are as good a passing side as any in the division and they showed that at times.

"They showed some clinical finishing and have good footballers.

"When we found the intensity we showed what a quality team we can be on our day.

"It wasn't evident that we were tired from Tuesday watching the way we attacked the game in the second half.

"The players tapped into all resources.

"If we'd have been hanging on at the end I'd have probably said Tuesday took its toll.

"But there was only one side going to win the match and that's a great credit to the drive, desire and determination of the team.

"That could be an important point for us."