Simon Cox did his chances of earning a first-team start no harm at all by finding the net during an impressive display for West Brom`s reserves in a 2-2 draw at Port Vale.

The striker, who finished joint-top goalscorer across all four divisions in England last season, has been a peripheral figure for Albion since his summer switch from Swindon, making just one league start and four substitute appearances.

But with Albion struggling for goals and points, he sent a timely reminder of what he can do to head coach Roberto Di Matteo by chesting the ball down just inside the penalty area and sending a sweet volley into the net to level matters at 1-1.

Centre-back Shelton Martis was later on hand to register an injury-time header and secure a share of the spoils after Leon Barnett had put through his own net.

First-team coach Michael Appleton told the club`s official website: "Coxy did well. He got into good areas, made clever runs and took his goal really well.

"The really pleasing thing is he played the full 90 minutes because players need game time to stay sharp."