Substitute Dane Scarlett headed a dramatic injury-time equaliser to earn Oxford a 1-1 draw against West Brom and prevent the Baggies going top of the Championship.

Karlan Ahearne-Grant’s second goal of the season gave Albion a first-half lead.

Grant fired home superbly in the 29th minute with a low 25-yard drive that beat Jamie Cumming to his right, fizzing into the net off the inside of the post.

But Oxford rallied in the second half and in the third minute of stoppage time, Elliott Moore headed on Will Vaulks’ long throw and Scarlett nodded home from seven yards out.

The leveller maintained United’s unbeaten home record this season.

There was an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off to remember popular right-back George Baldock – who had been on loan at Oxford in two spells – who died tragically earlier this month at the age of 31.

It was a tentative start for both sides in front of a sell-out crowd, with Albion, fourth in the table at the start of the day, making their first visit to the Kassam Stadium.

Boosted by the return of skipper Moore, the U’s also had left winger Siriki Dembele returning to the starting line-up.

Mark Harris, back from international duty with Wales, had an early opportunity as he ran through on the left but goalkeeper Alex Palmer saved with his body.

The visitors began controlling the middle of the park, and Darrell Furlong finished off one move by firing a 20-yard shot wide.

Right-back Furlong also went close with a flicked near-post header from Alex Mowatt’s corner that flew just over the bar.

The opening goal from England Under 17, 18 and 19 international Grant was probably deserved on the balance of play.

Oxford responded with left-back Ciaran Brown heading a corner narrowly over.

However, the Baggies soon regained their authority and looked dangerous whenever they attacked, which became increasingly often.

Grant cut in from the left again, just before half-time, and struck a shot that Cumming this time saved comfortably.

Home fans were unhappy at a number of fouls on Oxford players going unpunished, and there was a huge roar when referee Leigh Doughty eventually awarded a free-kick for a trip on Dembele.

The U’s began the second half strongly, Vaulks firing an effort wide before a cross by Dembele evaded everyone and almost crept in at the far post.

The Baggies were spending much less time attacking, though after one scramble in the box, Cumming saved when Uros Racic drove through a crowd of bodies.

The home side’s equaliser stunned the Baggies, who simply had no time to respond.