Last updated on .From the section Championship

Matt Phillips (right) ensured West Brom avoided a second consecutive Championship defeat

West Bromwich Albion earned their first point of the Championship season as Matt Phillips' late strike denied hosts Nottingham Forest victory in a game they had controlled.

The big-spending Reds deservedly led through Adlene Guedioura's deflected effort from 25 yards.

Baggies substitute Dwight Gayle - making his debut after joining on loan from Newcastle on Monday - hit the woodwork twice, either side of Phillips' equaliser in a thrilling finish.

The result left both promotion hopefuls waiting for their first win of the season after two games.

Darren Moore's off-colour Albion had looked set for a second straight defeat to start the season following their relegation from the Premier League last term, after Saturday's surprise home loss to Bolton Wanderers.

They failed to get a shot on target before Phillips' crisp half-volley in the closing stages, which came after Forest had impressed their fans in their first home game since spending in excess of £20m this summer.

Guedioura shone and almost added a spectacular second goal shortly before West Brom's equaliser, shooting from inside his own half, but his goal-of-the-season contender was denied by a fingertip save from Sam Johnstone.

Forest striker Lewis Grabban - making his first start since his move from Bournemouth for about £6m - had fired wide in the first half and saw a header cleared off the line in the frenetic finale.

But it was Gayle - who arrived at The Hawthorns in a deal that saw Salomon Rondon move in the other direction to Newcastle - who came closest to winning it, placing a shot onto the post moments before Phillips' leveller and then hitting the bar in the closing seconds.

Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"The feeling is frustration. We played very well. We were better than them and we should have won the game.

"If you do not score the second one and then you make one mistake, playing against teams like West Brom, you will be penalised.

"But I have to be optimistic because, playing in the way we have played today, we will win a lot of games for sure."

West Bromwich Albion head coach Darren Moore told BBC WM:

"Both teams were feeling each other out for large parts. Forest will be a tough place to come for a lot of teams but I always felt we could get something.

"We had to handle their crowd and the atmosphere. We had to shut them down and we did that to stifle the game.

"We did not let the occasion overawe us, and to come back from a goal down shows great character.

"We finished quite strong. It was a great finish with Matty Phillips and we had a few more chances late on. I asked for more cutting edge and we could easily have won it in the end."