SUPER-SUB Michael Nardiello's 74^th-minute strike saw Baggies reserves fight back from two goals down to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Stoke.

John Hartson, making his first appearance of the season, was left ruing a ninth-minute penalty miss as the Potters stormed into a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute thanks to Peter Sweeney's three-minute double.

To make matters worse Bartosz Slusarski was forced out of the action in the 27^th minute with an injury.

His misfortunate, however, presented substitute Roman Bednar with the chance to make his first appearance in Albion colours since joining the Baggies on loan from Hearts last month.

But it was Mowbray's other import from north of the border, Martis, who got the hosts back in the game before the break by slotting home a diving header on the half-hour mark.

Slusarski made a bright start to the Pontin's Holidays League Division One (Central) clash and beat three players before being felled to present Neil Clement with a free-kick chance on the edge of the box in the eighth minute.

And the Baggies defender wasted no time in firing in a shot, which former Hawthorns stopper Russell Hoult blocked with his chest.

A minute later Jared Hodgkiss swung in a right-wing cross and Slusarski was adjudged to have been fouled in a crowded penalty area.

Hartson stepped up to take the spot-kick but smashed it over the crossbar.

And the Potters made the hosts pay in the 19^th minute when Sweeney exchanged passes with Lathan Forrester before firing in a low shot, which Luke Steele could only parry into the far bottom corner of the net.

Three minutes later Martis' clearing header fell straight to Sweeney, who fired it straight back in and through the hands of Steele to make it 2-0.

Slusarski jinked past two City defenders in the 27^th minute before appearing to be brought down in the box.

But Albion's appeals for a penalty were waved away and to make matters worse the Polish hitman was forced to leave the field with an injury.

After treatment, he was replaced by fellow Baggies new boy Bednar in the 29^th minute, who was making his first appearance in Albion colours.

A minute later Martis swooped to head home Clement's right-wing corner and keep the hosts in the game.

In the 34^th minute Bednar slid the ball through to Hartson, whose 12-yard drive forced a save from Hoult.

And three minutes before the break the former Wales international's 20-yard chip had Hoult back-pedalling to tip the ball over the bar.

Stoke could have restored their two-goal advantage in the 63^rd minute but Andy Wilkinson headed wide from Sweeney's corner when he should at least have hit the target.

Eight minutes later David Worrall teed up Ronnie Wallwork and he sent his drive whistling just past the left-hand post.

But the Baggies only had to wait a further three minutes to level the scores as Worrall made a run down the left and his cross eventually fell to Hartson's half-time replacement Nardiello, who smashed the ball home from 12 yards.

Demar Phillips threaded Robbie Garrett in on goal in the 79^th minute but despite rounding Steele he lost his balance and screwed his shot over.

Clement misplaced his back-pass eight minutes from time and presented Sweeney with a hat-trick chance, which the City striker could only fire into the side-netting.

And Albion almost stole all three points in injury-time when Worrall found Bednar in the box and he teed up Joss Labadie, whose goalbound strike from the edge of the area was deflected just over.

ALBION (4-4-2): Steele; Hodgkiss, Martis, Cesar (Saied HT), Tininho; Labadie, Worrall, Wallwork, Clement; Slusarski (Bednar 29), Hartson (Nardiello HT). Subs not used: Hurst.

STOKE (4-4-2): Hoult; De Laet, Wilkinson, Buxton, Wedderburn; Forrester (Thorley 77), Eustace, Garrett, D Phillips; McDonald (J Phillips 63), Sweeney. Subs not used: St Louise Hamilton, Keys.

BOOKINGS: ALBION - Clement (foul 61), Labadie (foul 90+1); STOKE - McDonald (unsporting behaviour 12), Sweeney (foul 73).

GOALS: ALBION - Martis (30), Nardiello (74); STOKE - Sweeney (19,22).

REFEREE: A Watts.

ALBION STARMAN: Joss Labadie. 

See highlights of the reserves' 2-2 draw on Albion TV tomorrow. To subscribe, click here.