LEE Baker played ten minutes on his comeback from a serious knee-injury as Albion reserves drew 1-1 at Port Vale.

The Baggies found themselves a goal down against the run of play after 23 minutes in their final Pontin's Holidays League Division One (Central) clash of the season.

But the visitors piled on the pressure and levelled through Stefan Morrison three minutes before the break.

A youthful Albion side wasted numerous chances to take all three points against an experienced Vale outfit.

But the return of left-back Baker after a nine-month absence with anterior cruciate ligament damage gave everyone a huge boost when he came on as an 80th-minute substitute for Mo Saied.

Coach Michael Appleton said: "We were poor in the first 15 minutes and tried to play forward too quickly.

"In the last 25 minutes of the first half we had numerous opportunities and could easily have been leading at the break.

"The game was pretty much played in their half in the second half and I was really pleased with the boys' efforts against a Vale side that contained five or six first-team players.

"Fifteen-year-old Paul Downing made his reserves debut and was outstanding at full-back.

"And it was clear to see Lee Baker was thrilled to be back in action as his adrenalin was pumping."

ALBION (4-4-2): Lloyd-Weston, Downing, Hancox, Mason, Saied (Baker 80); Lake-Gaskin, Worrall, Labadie, Compton; Morrison, Knight (Samuels 65). Subs not used: Holmes, Martin.

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