Kevin Phillips' 200th career league goal was eclipsed by Victor Moses' very first as the Crystal Palace teenager earned his side a Coca-Cola Championship point at West Brom.

Phillips illuminated an otherwise scrappy first half with a typically lethal finish from Paul Robinson's sweeping pass as Tony Mowbray's FA Cup semi-finalists looked set for a win which would close the gap on leaders Bristol City.

But Moses, half Phillips' age at 17, took advantage of some non-existent defending to give Neil Warnock's much-improved side a share of the spoils after the break when he slotted home from inside the area.

The point stopped Albion climbing to third in the table but with two games still in hand Mowbray's men remain firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion, while Palace are well placed for another late surge into the play-off places.

Mowbray chose to restore Phillips to the starting line-up alongside Sunday's FA Cup hat-trick hero Ishmael Miller leaving Roman Bednar - with 16 goals in 18 starts for the club - on the bench.

Warnock also sprung a surprise up front, leaving Clinton Morrison out and deploying James Scowcroft as a lone striker. And it was Phillips who had the first effort on goal in the eighth minute when he played an intricate one-two with Zoltan Gera on the right before curling a shot wide of the left-hand post from the edge of the area.

Phillips then headed into the side-netting after a deep cross from captain Jonathan Greening as the hosts piled forward.

And the home side took the lead in the 30th minute thanks to Phillips' 20th goal of the season.

Robert Koren spread the ball out wide to Robinson but sold the full-back rather short.

Robinson had to stretch to reach the pass but his momentum took him clear of Matt Lawrence. He looked up and drilled in a fine low pass to Phillips who had somehow found space in the centre of the penalty area.

Phillips brilliantly killed the ball with his first touch before deftly lifting it over the advancing Julian Speroni.

Chris Brunt and Tom Soares both left the field injured to be replaced by James Morrison and his namesake Clinton respectively as the whistle went for half-time.

James Morrison was then himself replaced at half-time after only six minutes on the pitch for Do-Heon Kim - who fizzed a 25-yard strike inches wide within 10 seconds of the restart.

Palace captain Mark Hudson came close to a leveller when he was presented with a free header from Ben Watson's free-kick but he angled his effort wide from 10 yards.

However Warnock's side were level in the 55th minute.

A crossfield ball from the left found Scowcroft who headed down to the left-hand side of the area where Moses was inexplicably unmarked.

The teenager even had time to take a touch before side-footing into the bottom corner from eight yards out before launching into an acrobatic celebration which incorporated at least two somersaults.

Moses was then replaced by fellow youngster Sean Scannell after picking up an injury before Miller forced Speroni into a save with a powerful low drive.

Do-Heon then drew a top save out of Speroni with a rasping 25-yard drive which dipped just in front of the keeper before substitute Luke Moore headed over.

Miller then drilled narrowly over as Albion laid siege to the Palace goal before Phillips was denied a late winner when his deflected shot from the edge of the area was again kept out by Speroni.

Teams

West Brom Kiely, Hodgkiss, Albrechtsen, Barnett, Robinson,Gera (Moore 67), Greening, Koren, Brunt (Morrison 40),Phillips, Miller, Morrison (Kim 46).

Subs Not Used: Bednar, Martis.

Goals: Phillips 30.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Lawrence, Hudson, Fonte, Hill,Soares (Morrison 45), Watson (Hughes 88), Fletcher, Derry,Moses (Scannell 61), Scowcroft.

Subs Not Used: Hills, Robinson.

Goals: Moses 55.

Att: 20,378

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).