Cyle Larin scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser to extend Southampton's unbeaten run and ruin West Bromwich Albion's hopes of easing away from the drop zone.

The Baggies had looked set for their first league win of 2026 thanks to Jayson Molumby's first-half goal.

But the Saints grabbed a late point thanks to their Canadian international, to leave them just three points outside the play-off zone.

Larin's late hurrah extended Southampton's unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions.

And yet Albion had looked in good shape to claim all three points.

Aune Heggebo went close in the sixth minute when his looping header from Alfie Gilchrist's throw was tipped over by Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.

Albion went close again four minutes later when the visitors scrambled clear Isaac Price's in-swinging corner after the dip on the ball fooled Peretz in the crowded Southampton box.

The Saints should have done more in the 32nd minute. Léo Scienza got the better of Danny Imray and whipped in a cross for the unmarked Ross Stewart, who could only power his header straight at Albion goalkeeper Max O'Leary.

Heggebo went close again at the other end when Imray's right-wing cross took a deflection and fell into the Norwegian's path – his instinctive header was clumsily parried away by Peretz.

Southampton had been struggling throughout the first-half with Albion's corners. The Baggies got their reward just before half-time when Dike twice headed goal-bound from a Styles' corner before the ball bounced into Molumby's path, who turned the ball home from close range.

The Baggies were in no mood to settle for the one goal.

They could have added a second in the 64th minute when Dike attacked Jed Wallace's cross only to be denied by Peretz's low save. The ball was rolling towards Heggebo, only for the Southampton goalkeeper to claim possession.

A clever move by the hosts should have been rewarded just seven minutes later. Heggebo showed great determination in claiming the ball in the centre circle. The Albion striker broke forward and, as he came under pressure from the chasing Saints defenders, back-heeled the ball into the path of Price.

The Northern Ireland man tried his luck with a speculative shot from 25-yards, only to be denied by the Southampton keeper.

The visitors were not quite done. Tonda Eckert's side were busy in possession, if somewhat lacking in creativity and they were presented with a chance in the 79th minute when Ousmane Diakite lost possession, allowing Shea Charles a chance on goal but his effort did not trouble O'Leary.

Southampton equalised as the game ticked over into injury time.

The visiting substitutes combined, with Samuel Edozie sending in a left-wing cross which was headed in, just under the crossbar, by Larin.

Saints boss Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"It was very important to get that late equaliser. We have yet to play to Wrexham, so from now on it is in our own hands.

"We all know – it's not a secret – that we can play better. It was important to dig deep. Tonight showed the character of the team. There will be more games that look more beautiful, but today we showed we can play better, but we played a good team who are fighting for everything. Today we have to be happy to take the point and move on.

"Four away games on the bounce was always going to be tough. It is not easy to maintain the energies. We are pushing, now we have two days to recover, and we'll go strong again against Coventry.

"There were things today that didn't go in our favour, but it is what it is. It was a big and important character test for us."

West Brom boss James Morrison told BBC Radio WM:

"I have mixed emotions. I'm proud of the lads, proud of the performance, proud of everyone – the crowd stuck with us, and cheered us on. It was a sucker-punch at the end, which we have to respect because they're a top team. But we matched them and have to learn from that.

"It's about game management. It was our throw into the box. Could we have kept it in the corner? Can we stop the cross? Are we a bit deep? Can we hold the line? Just things like that.

"We are all in this together. I thought we were shaky early on but once we got balls into the box we looked dangerous, I was looking at the lads because Southampton are a physical side – they weigh you down with the ball – so I had to use my bench, and utilise it as best as I could.

"The positive we can take is that we matched Southampton. They won in the FA Cup against Fulham, and we limited them to one or two chances. Now we need to back this performance up with a win on Saturday. As you imagine the dressing room is low, but it's up to me to pick us up and go again on Saturday."