Stoke drew their first league game in 2011 after they allowed West Bromwich Albion a controversial late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium which sees the Baggies scramble out of the bottom three. Stoke had previously won seven of their last eight league meetings with their midland neighbours and looked to be continuing that good run until the Albion levelled with three minutes remaining.
Albion salvaged a late draw last time out against Wolves and tonight's point was invaluable in pulling them clear of the relegation places and puts them only five points behind the Potters who are not entirely clear oftrouble.
Albion started strongly but the home side ended the first half in the ascendancy with Jermaine Pennant hitting the woodwork from a free kick.
Stoke took the lead just after the break from the inevitable set piece. Pennant took the corner and Rory Delap was allowed to head home from close range.
With the physical side of the game working in the Potters favour it seemed as if they would hang on for the three points until on-loan forward Carlos Vela, from what appeared to be an offside position, collected Steven Reid's cross to level.
Albion almost won it in injury time but Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic made a fine double save.
Referee: Michael Oliver
Venue: Britannia Stadium Attendance: 25,019
Stoke scorers: Delap 53 West Brom scorers: Vela 87
STOKE 01 Begovic 04 Huth 17 Shawcross (yellow card) 12 Wilson 14 Pugh 16 Pennant (Whelan 78) 18 Whitehead 24 Delap 09 Jones (Fuller 83) 19 Walters 22 Carew (Etherington 65)
Substitutes 29 Sorensen, 03 Higginbotham, 05 Collins, 28 Wilkinson, 06 Whelan, 26 Etherington, 10 Fuller
WEST BROM 01 Carson 03 Olsson 20 Shorey 23 Meite 11 Brunt (yellow card) 12 Reid 14 Thomas (Vela 82) 17 Dorrans 21 Mulumbu (yellow card) (Tchoyi 73) 33 Scharner 28 Fortune (Odemwingie 73)
Substitutes 13 Myhill, 30 Tamas, 36 Jara, 05 Tchoyi, 07 Morrison, 18 Vela, 24 Odemwingie
