Lewis Grabban's injury-time goal gave Crystal Palace victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns, denting Albion's promotion hopes.

Neil Clement gave the hosts the lead direct from a free-kick in the first half but Clinton Morrison levelled with a low right-footed effort in the 36th minute.

Palace led at half-time after Ben Watson netted from the penalty spot in the 40th minute after Michael Hughes had been brought down by West Brom substitute Martin Albrechtsen - who was sent off as a result of the challenge.

Kevin Phillips set up a rousing finale with a 76th-minute equaliser - but Grabban won it to keep alive the Eagles' outside hopes of reaching the play-offs.

The Baggies were desperate to get a win having failed to win in their past three league fixtures, including successive defeats in March, to dent their hopes of an instant return to the Barclays Premiership.

Veteran striker Phillips was handed a starting role by Baggies boss Tony Mowbray, with Nathan Ellington sitting out the final game of his three-match ban after he was sent off in the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough.

The Baggies began the match on the front foot with Phillips and Clement firing long-range attempts over the crossbar.

The hosts looked the more likely in the opening exchanges against a defensive-minded Palace outfit, and the industry of the visitors began to frustrate the home fans as they saw their side misplace several passes.

But the hosts eased their early nerves with a goal of some fortune following from a Clement free-kick in the 26th minute.

The former Chelsea man blasted a low shot which the wall jumped over leaving goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly helpless as he saw the ball fizz past him.

Palace had offered little as an attacking threat but they were level in the 36th minute when Morrison showed his poacher's instinct to smashed a 15-yard shot into the net.

There was further bad news for Albion with captain Curtis Davis forced from the pitch with an injury and replaced by Albrechtsen.

However, the Danish defender would last just two minutes on the pitch after he brought down Hughes in the area and was adjudged to be the last man and shown a straight red card.

Watson smashed the resulting penalty into the left-hand corner of the goal.

Palace almost took a two-goal lead just minutes after the interval when the ball fell to James Scowcroft but he could only volley a quickly-taken close-range chance onto the crossbar.

Despite being a man down, Albion set about attacking the visitors and Kiraly needed strong hands to palm away Diomansy Kamara's strike in the 55th minute.

The match was beginning to open up and the home fans thought they had a penalty when the referee blew for a foul on Kamara only to rule, somewhat curiously, that the infringement occurred outside the area.

From the resultant free-kick Jason Koumas' strike thundered into the wall, which had this time wisely decided to keep their feet planted.

Albion were camping themselves in Palace's half with the visitors providing only a fleeting attacking presence.

Palace continued to frustrate Albion, and their increasingly vociferous fans, until the 76th minute when a sublime through-ball from Kamara set Phillips through on goal for him to find the net with a neat toe-poke finish.

Albion pushed on for a winner but they were punished for their attacking instinct when, following a defensive mix-up, 19-year-old Grabban was presented with an open goal to tap home the decisive goal.

Teams

West Brom Kiely, McShane, Clement,Curtis Davies (Albrechtsen 38), Robinson, Greening,Chaplow (Koren 58), Koumas, Gera, Phillips, Kamara.

Subs Not Used: Daniels, Carter, MacDonald.

Sent Off: Albrechtsen (41).

Booked: Phillips.

Goals: Clement 26, Phillips 76.

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Lawrence, Cort, Hudson,Borrowdale (Butterfield 72), Watson, Soares, Fletcher,Hughes (Grabban 86), Morrison (Martin 78), Scowcroft.

Subs Not Used: Speroni, Freedman.

Goals: Morrison 35, Watson 42 pen, Grabban 90.

Att: 17,960

Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).