Dean Smith could only shake his head and smile. Aston Villa were closing in on another big result that would have moved them into the play-off places, only for West Brom to equalise in scandalous fashion.
In the first minute of stoppage time Matt Phillips crossed and Jay Rodriguez bundled the ball in. The Hawthorns erupted. Except this was no header. It was a slam dunk.
In challenging James Chester, Rodriguez raised his hands and nudged the ball down, then as he fell his arm struck once more. The ball trickled in.
Villa’s appeals were raised instantly and unanimously.