West Brom produced a stirring second-half display to secure a richly deserved point against their promotion rivals Watford.

Trailing 1-0 at the break through Leigh Bromby's sixth-minute strike the Baggies responded after the interval with Leon Barnett's close-range header to give them a point and move them into the automatic promotion spots at the expense of Bristol City.

The hosts would have taken all three points had it not been for poor finishing and Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee, who produced a string of impressive saves.

The result leaves Watford in fifth position as they missed the chance to leap-frog the Baggies into second.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray made four changes to the team which beat Blackpool 3-1 on Tuesday night with Zoltan Gera, James Morrison, Kevin Phillips and Barnett returning to the starting XI.

His opposite number Adrian Boothroyd also rang the changes which Mat Sadler, Nathan Ellington and Lee Williamson paying the price for a devastating 3-0 home defeat to Championship strugglers Barnsley on Wednesday.

So in came John Eustace, Tamas Priskin and John-Jo O'Toole as the Hornets went in search of the victory which would take them above their promotion rivals in the table.

Both sides quickly got into their passing rhythm on a pristine playing surface at The Hawthorns but it was a set-piece from which the visitors took the lead.

Jobi McAnuff swung in a vicious corner from the left which the unmarked Bromby smashed in at the far post after O'Toole's initial header was saved on the line by Dean Kiely.

Albion did not seem deterred by the early setback as they dominated early possession with their familiar crisp passing play and Gera and Jonathan Greening in particular looking dangerous in midfield.

But Watford were showed why they have been so hard to beat on the road this season with a well-drilled back four protected by O'Toole and Eustace who both enjoyed an impressive return to the side.

Greening and Neil Clement shot over from the edge of the area, but they were indebted to goalkeeper Kiely in the 40th minute as he produced a magnificent diving save from Priskin's bullet header.

It took the Baggies just four minutes to level matters after the break and it was Barnett who took advantage of some non-existent marking to head past Lee from six yards following Gera's free-kick.

Buoyed by their goal, Albion increased the pressure on Watford and Ishmael Miller forced Lee into a smart save with a powerful shot.

The Hornets stopper then denied Miller a few minutes later, smothering the striker's shot before picking himself up to block James Morrison's effort.

Kevin Phillips was clean through on two separate occasions but was denied either time by Lee, while Gera shot just wide from outside the box.

Albion's best chance fell to Roman Bednar three minutes from time but the on-loan striker blazed over from six yards out with the goal gaping.

Teams

West Brom Kiely, Hoefkens, Barnett, Clement, Robinson, Gera,Koren, Greening, Morrison (Brunt 67), Phillips,Miller (Bednar 72).

Subs Not Used: Kim, Moore, Pele.

Booked: Koren, Miller, Hoefkens.

Goals: Barnett 49.

Watford Lee, Doyley, Shittu, Bromby, Stewart,McAnuff (Kabba 86), Eustace, O'Toole (Ellington 86),Priskin (Mariappa 66), Henderson, Smith.

Subs Not Used: Poom, Sadler.

Booked: Eustace.

Goals: Bromby 6.

Att: 26,508

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).