Jacob Murphy's first goal in over a year had initially hauled Albion level after Stefan Johansen's early own goal.

The Baggies remain fourth in the Sky Bet Championship while ninth-placed Forest slipped five points behind the top six in their quest to end a 20-year Premier League exile.

Defensive errors continue to haunt the Baggies and they paid the price after another just six minutes in.

Craig Dawson gifted the ball to Ben Osborn who found the onrushing Jack Colback.

The midfielder raced into the area, swapping passes with Lewis Grabban and crossed for Yates three yards out.

It seemed a simple tap in but Yates' shot was somehow going wide before it hit Johansen to roll in.

It was an advantage the visitors kept for the rest of the first half as disjointed Albion's attempts to recover were met with stubborn Forest resistance.

The hosts' fragmented play allowed Forest to keep Rodriguez and Gayle quiet, although teenage midfielder Rekeem Harper posed problems with his direct running.

Costel Pantilimon had little to do despite the hosts' possession but he was picking the ball out of the net nine minutes after the break.

Seconds after Harper's glorious volley from the edge of the box struck the bar Albion levelled.

Forest failed to clear Kieran Gibbs' cross and when Mason Holgate's drive was blocked by Rodriguez it fell for Murphy to slot in from six yards.

The scrappy goal lifted Albion but they fell behind again 10 minutes later.

This time there was no doubt it was Yates' goal as the midfielder's low volley from 10 yards bounced in off the post after Grabban teed him up following Jack Robinson's long throw.

It was just Yates' second league start for Forest having been given his chance by Martin O'Neill after spending last season on loan at Notts County and Scunthorpe.

But the visitors were pegged back with just two minutes left when Gayle went down under pressure from Alexander Milosevic and Yohan Benalouane.

The striker was going to ground before the challenge but referee Lee Mason awarded the penalty which Rodriguez converted.

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