Albion fought back from their first deficit of the league campaign to take a point today.

But they will wonder how two more got away after a wasteful 1-1 draw at home to an uninspired Cardiff City side.

Dale Stephens hooked home a technically superb right-foot volley for their 38th-minute equaliser.

His third goal in four games, from Beram Kayal’s cross, cancelled out a fifth-minute strike by Joe Mason, who tucked away Scott Malone’s low cross at the near post.

But Albion had plenty of chances to maintain their 100% home record.

Simon Moore made a handful of good saves, notably at point blank range from Sam Baldock, and Tomer Hemed fired into the side-netting.

Baldock also glanced a header wide in the second half and the impressive Solly March saw a low drive blocked by the keeper.

Cardiff offered little threat but might have gone ahead on a counter raid when sub Sammy Ameobi went around David Stockdale but saw his shot from an angle cleared from in front of goal by Lewis Dunk.

Then, deep in added time, Gordon Greer failed to get a telling touch on a cross at the far post with the goal gaping and saw the ball bounce agonisingly wide with many fans already celebrating a goal.