West Bromwich Albion began life without Steve Clarke by snatching a 1-1 draw at home to Hull City on Saturday thanks to an 86th-minute equaliser from Matej Vydra.

A week on from Clarke's abrupt dismissal as manager, Jake Livermore's first-half goal looked destined to condemn West Brom to a fifth successive defeat, only for Vydra to snaffle a late leveller after climbing off the bench.

The draw allowed West Brom to increase the gap between themselves and the Premier League relegation zone to three points, while Hull remain 12th.

West Brom caretaker coach Keith Downing made three changes to the team beaten 1-0 by Cardiff City in Clarke's last game, with Ben Foster returning in goal after four months out with a stress fracture of the foot.

Scott Sinclair and James Morrison also came into the side, while Hull's team was unchanged from the one that started last weekend's goalless draw at home to Stoke City.

After a low-key opening, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with an excellent counter-attacking goal.

From a West Brom corner, David Meyler fed Danny Graham, who in turn out picked out Livermore, and the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder finished from a narrow angle.

Downing introduced Saido Berahino in place of Sinclair at half-time and West Brom improved, with Tom Huddlestone blocking from Youssouf Mulumbu and Shane Long curling a left-foot shot just over.

West Brom were indebted to Foster for keeping them in the game, however, after the England international produced a fine double save to thwart Huddlestone and Ahmed Elmohamady.

Downing sent on Vydra, a loan signing from Udinese who scored 20 goals for Championship side Watford when on loan with them last season, and Zoltan Gera, and with four minutes remaining the two entrants combined to plunder a fine equaliser.

Long found Gera with a clever backheel and from the Hungarian's subsequent pass, Vydra finished calmly to register his first goal in West Brom's colours.