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Hal Robson-Kanu's first-half strike was his fourth goal in six games

Substitute Charlie Austin's 88th-minute penalty earned West Bromwich Albion victory over Sheffield Wednesday to ensure that they stayed top of the Championship by two points.

The Owls started brightly only to trail after 10 minutes when Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu ran through to coolly slot home for his fourth goal in six matches.

Wolves old boy Steven Fletcher's second-half spot-kick, after Filip Krovinovic was caught in possession and fouled Kieran Lee, looked to have a secured a deserved point for the Owls.

But the Baggies pushed forward in the latter stages and Austin kept his cool to earn a 10th league win of the season following Owls keeper Keiren Westwood's foul on Matheus Pereira.

Wednesday, who dropped a place to ninth in the table, were unable to force a leveller and had Liam Palmer sent off for a late challenge on Grady Diangana in injury time.

Palmer's frustration spilled over in a dramatic finish at The Hawthorns, as Albion stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with a third consecutive win.

The Owls could easily have been ahead during a promising start, when Kadeem Harris and Julian Borner both saw shots deflected wide, and they fought back well after Robson-Kanu's early strike.

The hosts had threatened to seize control and started to dominate possession, but Wednesday defended solidly and Fletcher's calm penalty drew them level.

Morgan Fox also hit the bar with a header from substitute Adam Reach's free-kick as the visitors pressed for a winner.

But it was the Baggies who took all the points when Austin netted with his own penalty soon after he had hit the post with a glancing header from Diangana's cross.

West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic told BBC WM:

"It was a good game. A very difficult one, but we expected it to be difficult as I rate them very highly.

"We were not that greedy in a positive way and in the second half they stepped up and we gave them a penalty. After that they gained momentum and we needed a good reaction from the bench and we had it.

"It takes courage to take a penalty like that but that's why he's Charlie Austin."

Striker Charlie Austin told BBC WM:

"I'm confident enough in my ability. When the opportunity came, I knew which way I was going. Everyone thinks Kieren Westwood was close as he dived the right way but he was picking that one out of the net. If you hit them well enough, they go in.

"But as much as it got us another three points and me another goal, the main thing was that it was reward for the lads. We found a way to win but we deserved to, as we worked so hard for it."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk:

"I feel sick for the players. To come to the league leaders and play that well and get nothing. The first half was even, but in the second we were the better team.

"To create that amount of chances and not win. How we've not won that game, let alone not take any points is astounding. Everything in terms of performance is there apart from being ruthless and clinical.

"We can't continue in that way. So much of that game was exactly what we needed it to be. We'll stick together and, if we continue to perform like that, results will turn for us."