West Brom boss Eric Ramsay was relieved after he claimed his first point in charge with a 1-1 draw against Derby courtesy of a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.
Baggies goalkeeper Max O’Leary made his debut after signing from Bristol City on Thursday but made an error for the opening goal after he dropped the ball for Patrick Agyemang to put Derby in front.
O’Leary would have breathed a huge sigh of relief in stoppage time when Chris Mepham nodded just over the line at the back post despite the best efforts of Rams goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to keep the ball out.
Following home defeats to Middlesbrough and Norwich, Ramsay got off the mark in his third game and stopped the club’s run of 10 straight away defeats in his first fixture in charge on the road.
Ramsay said: “We deserved at least a point over the course of the game.
“We had real control off the back of what we experienced in the last couple of games and we showed a real resilience and sense of discipline.
“It’s a tough week isn’t it? I don’t think anyone can look at my first eight or nine days here and see anything otherwise, and I can’t pretend it hasn’t been difficult, and to have gotten a point tonight was important for the group.
“But ultimately I get the most satisfaction from the way we were able to handle that difficulty. From the early stages from my time here we’ve been able to build a sense of unity between staff and players.”
West Brom will face Portsmouth in a key clash down the bottom end of the table next week and Ramsay is hoping he can use the point at Pride Park as a platform for more.
He added: “I’ve sensed no lack of care since I’ve been here, it’s a professional and honest group of players that want to do better.
“It’s a difficult context this one away at Derby and we’ve come out of it really well and a real sense of positivity.
“If the last couple of days are anything to go by and the performance is to go by then we will end up where we want to be.”
Derby boss John Eustace thought West Brom should not have been given the corner that led to the equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
He said: “Disappointed to concede in the last couple of minutes.
“The lads worked their socks off the back of two straight away games. We looked leggy, tired after three games in six days.
“He (Zetterstrom) didn’t get a touch (for it to be a corner). Disappointed with the heat of the battle at the end. Just need a bit of calm head but disappointed the corner was given and that we couldn’t see it through.”
