Charlie Oatway edged closer to regaining his first team place for Albion last night.

He featured in a 1-0 win for the Reserves against his old club Brentford at muddy Woodside Road.

It was Oatway's first taste of action since a knee operation three weeks ago which was originally expected to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Oatway, fellow central midfielder Martin Thomas, Darren Freeman and Scot Ramsay had all been on the bench at Rochdale 24 hours earlier.

Ramsay celebrated captaining the team by rifling home a low right foot drive from 20 yards in the 40th minute.

Daniel Marney, just awarded a one-year pro contract, somehow volleyed wide after the break from a cross by the fit-again Chris Allen, making his home debut.

Adam Hinshelwood produced a remarkable goal-line clearance from Kevin O'Connor to keep Albion in front when the defence had been caught napping.

Will Packham also made a fine one-handed save to foil Tony Folan.

Hinshelwood's evening was ruined midway through the second half by a red card from referee Darren Deadman. The youth team fullback had just been booked for a foul when he received a second caution for kicking the ball away.

Albion: Packham; Hinshelwood, Jackson, Hemsley, Saroya, Oatway, Freeman, M.Thomas, Ramsay, Marney, Allen. Subs: Wilkinson, Harding, Hammond, McPhee, Sansom.