A dominant Leeds were denied by the frame of the goal in the first half as a Jamie Shackleton drive from the edge of the box took a big deflection and cannoned back off the post. Albion finally mustered their first attempt at goal six minutes into the second half and only a fantastic save from Illan Meslier kept it out, the Frenchman tipping Jed Wallace's flick from a Brandon Thomas-Asante cross on to the post.
Yet the Baggies went ahead from the second of two corners that followed as Jayson Molumby’s shot in a packed box deflected off Thomas-Asante whose contact diverted the ball past Meslier.
Leeds looked to respond and there was Whites fury as referee Matthew Donohue failed to award the hosts a penalty after Joe Gelhardt was sent flying upon Cedric Kipre clearing for a corner.
Moments later, Daniel Farke’s side squandered a glorious chance to equalise as James could only bundle the ball wide from close range following a Luke Ayling cross.
James was then thwarted by a brilliant save from Alex Palmer who tipped his curler from the edge of the box over the bar.
But James proved the architect as Leeds drew level in the 72nd minute through Ayling who arrived at the far post to convert with a powerful header to the Wales international winger's cross.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from the Friday night clash at Elland Road.
![7 - Out quickly to deny one good chance, made a sublime save to prevent another. Little else to do, kicking was mostly fine.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmY3NzkwMmFkLWE3ZjItNGRkMy04MWI2LTQ0ZGU5MDhlNDc1ODoxMjVjMDgyNi04NDVkLTQyYTgtOWEwYi02ZTUyZjMzMzlkMjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
1. Illan Meslier
7 - Out quickly to deny one good chance, made a sublime save to prevent another. Little else to do, kicking was mostly fine.Photo: George Wood
![7 - A couple ropey moments in his own half, lots of good moments going forward. Caused a few problems. Took his goal really well.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU3ZTZjMmMzLWM4MDEtNDY4Yy05YmI1LTBjOWFjODY4MWM0ODphNmMwYTExYi03ODBhLTRjNWEtYjc2NS00NGZlNWYwOTQzMjg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
2. Luke Ayling
7 - A couple ropey moments in his own half, lots of good moments going forward. Caused a few problems. Took his goal really well.Photo: Danny Lawson
![7 - A solid performance for the vast majority of the contest. Looks like he's more than happy to have the ball at his feet.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU5ZjM0ZTE1LWIzYjYtNDZlMC1hMWFiLWM5MDhmODBiMTNlODplNjNlOGYwZi03N2ViLTQ2YzItOTYxOS05N2IxMjc5YjEzMjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
3. Joe Rodon
7 - A solid performance for the vast majority of the contest. Looks like he's more than happy to have the ball at his feet.Photo: George Wood
![8 - Played on the front foot, nipped in to win the ball as high as he could, played some nice passes as Leeds played out from the back.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYwZTA2Yzk1LTU2YzItNDk5NC04OWE0LWVhNmQ1ODIxYjZlZDpjZDc5NDdhZi0wNWE1LTQxOWQtYjYwMy05Mzk5MTVkNTMwZGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
4. Pascal Struijk
8 - Played on the front foot, nipped in to win the ball as high as he could, played some nice passes as Leeds played out from the back.Photo: Alex Caparros
![7 - Steady away. Beaten once in the first half down his side but looked comfortable for the most part and did his bit in possession. Unlucky in first half with a chance.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjhjMzdkMjRmLTI2YTMtNDZjNi04MzE0LTNkZmM0ZmQ1ODNkODpmODY1YmMxMS1iODUwLTQzOTMtYmZiNi00N2JlMzZlZmQ0NWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Sam Byram
7 - Steady away. Beaten once in the first half down his side but looked comfortable for the most part and did his bit in possession. Unlucky in first half with a chance.Photo: George Wood
![7 - Rarely looks troubled. Almost always in the right place. Comfortable on the ball and got stuck in.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdmMzEyYmRjLTIzMjYtNGM1Yi1iZWQ5LTdmZTA1ZjE4NTM3ODoxZTVjOTM2Zi1mMGE2LTQ2YjMtYjFhOC00OGE4OTU3ZTM1NGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Ethan Ampadu
7 - Rarely looks troubled. Almost always in the right place. Comfortable on the ball and got stuck in.Photo: George Wood