ALBION'S BRUNT IS SPOT ON; Baggies hit back twice for point.

Byline: ROB TANNER at The KC Stadium

HULL CITY 2

Mendy 49 mins, Fagan 69 mins

WEST BROM 2

Simpson 53 mins, Brunt pen 73 mins

ALBION proved they have the battling qualities required for one of the fiercest relegation battles in Premier League history as they twice came from behind to grab only their fifth away point of the season.

Jay Simpson scored his first Premier League goal and Chris Brunt swept home a 73rd-minute penalty after Robert Koren was fouled inside the area to reward Tony Mowbray's side for a spirited second-half performance. The Albion boss said he was delighted with the spirit shown by his patched-up side.

"I wasn't particularly pleased with anything in the first half and I thought it was the worst we had played all season," he said. "We weren't really at the races and yet we got a grip of it in the second half, and the equaliser gave us great belief.

"We had the better opportunities late on to win it if anyone was going to win it but the chances came and went.

"It wasn't to be but we will take it because we have found it hard to pick up points away from home in the Premier League.

"This is another one and if we get a win next week at home to Newcastle United then it will prove to be a good point."

Albion fans deserve great credit for the way they have supported their side on the road, despite little reward for their devotion.

The Baggies have been poor on their travels and have picked up only one away win this season.

Again, more than 40 coaches full of supporters travelled up from the Midlands, only to be treated to a poor first-half showing.

Due to the crippling injury crisis, centre-backs Abdoulaye Meite and Ryan Donk had to soldier on with niggling knocks while right-back Gianni Zuiverloon has only just returned from injury.

As a result, the Baggies' defence looked hesitant and jittery, as if the injuries were playing on their minds.

It was a simple and straight-forward ball over the top from Ian Ashbee which led to a deserved opening goal for the Tigers just before half time. Bernard Mendy raced clear and went round Scott Carson before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Albion could have no complaints as they could have been behind even further.

Donk was lucky to get away with a clear handball inside the area from Richard Garcia's cross and then Garcia gave Albion a real let-off when he was presented with a free header from Kevin Kilbane's cross but put his effort over the bar.

Albion were almost non-existent as an attacking force. Simpson wasted their only chance when Fortune, who led the line manfully despite a woeful lack of service, chested Brunt's cross back to his young strike partner but Simpson volleyed wildly over the bar.

The only other effort was a Fortune strike which was deflected wide as Albion stuttered and misfired in the final third.

They continued in a similar fashion after the break and Carson pulled off saves from Dean Marney, Kevin Kilbane and Michael Turner as the Tigers looked to add to their lead.

But then, out of nowhere, Albion equalised.

James Morrison jinked past two defenders inside the penalty area and the ball fell invitingly for Simpson who swept his shot past Tigers keeper Matt Duke.

The goal lifted Albion and they sprung to life as if they had been given an injection of confidence. But it soon wore off as they retreated back into their shell and they were punished again.

In the 69th minute Mendy sent in a curling cross which was despatched past Carson into the bottom corner by Craig Fagan with an acrobatic diving header.

It looked as though Fagan's goal would be a body blow for Albion and another comeback did not seem on the cards.

However, within four minutes they were level once more.

Koren slid a superb ball through for Fortune who had Duke to beat but the Tigers keeper saved with his legs. But as Koren reached the rebound, Kamil Zayatte recklessly slid in and after the Albion midfielder hit the ground referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot. Brunt, who had a mixed afternoon, hammered the spot kick below Duke, who had guessed correctly but was failed to keep the shot out. It was the first time this season that Albion had scored twice on their travels.

Hull captain Ashbee stung Carson's hands with a long-range shot but after that Albion looked the more likely to pinch a win.

Substitute Pele blazed over the bar at the back post from eight yards after a Brunt corner landed at his feet, and in injury time Simpson shot across the area but Roman Bednar and Koren agonisingly failed to get a decisive touch.

HULL CITY (4-4-2): Duke, Dawson, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Mendy, Ashbee, Marney, Kilbane, Fagan, Garcia (Folan 80). Subs: Myhill, Doyle, Geovanni, Hughes, France, Manucho.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-4-2): Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Donk, Robinson, Morrison (Kim 75), Valero (Pele 88), Koren, Brunt, Simpson, Fortune (Bednar 75). Subs: Keily, Hoefkens, Cech, Teixeira.

STAR MAN: Robert Koren.

CAPTION(S):

BRUNT WEAPON: Albion's penalty-taker shows his delight after levelling the scores; EYES DOWN: Ryan Donk and Craig Fagan battle it out; LOAN STAR: Jay Simpson celebrates his goal