Leeds 1-1 West Brom: Hosts fight back through Luke Ayling after Brandon Thomas-Asante seized the lead for the Baggies with a missed handball call… with fans at Elland Road venting at wantaway striker Willy Gnonto

Luke Ayling salvaged a point for Leeds with a thumping 72nd-minute header on a night when home fans vented their anger at wantaway striker Willy Gnonto.

Brandon Thomas-Asante struck a controversial opener in the 52nd minute when Jayson Molumby’s shot deflected in off his hand – but with no VAR to intervene the goal stood.

Yet Daniel Farke’s men – roared on by their vociferous crowd – got the equaliser they deserved 18 minutes when the impressive Dan James crossed from the left and Ayling nodded in at the far post.

It sparked wild celebrations in front of the Don Revie Stand as Ayling – captain in the absence of the injured Liam Cooper – punched the air and pointed to his badge.

It said much for the significance of the goal as Leeds battle desperately against a mass exodus which shows no sign of ending.

Gnonto has handed in a transfer request as he bids to force through a move away from Elland Road – yet Leeds maintain he is not for sale after rejecting a £25million bid from Everton.

Leeds fans voiced their fury towards Gnonto as the game kicked off, but he was nowhere to be seen and it remains to be seen if he will play for the club again.

With midfielder Tyler Adams lined up for a switch to Bournemouth and winger Luis Sinisterra also absent and expected to jump ship, Leeds were desperately low on numbers again.

Alarmingly, Farke was able to name only five outfield players on a bench which included two goalkeepers.

In the 26th minute, Leeds went agonisingly close when midfielder Jamie Shackleton hit a low right-foot shot from 25 yards which hit Cedric Kipre and came back off the inside of a post.

In the 31st minute, James found Ayling at the far post and his first-time cross was scuffed wide by Joe Gelhardt.

Five minutes later, Matt Phillips beat Ayling and whipped in a superb left-wing cross which Furlong unable to find a finish at the far post.

In the 51st minute, Albion went close when Thomas-Asante’s left-wing cross found Jed Wallace, whose first-time effort was tipped onto a post by Illan Meslier.

From the subsequent corner, the ball fell kindly to Molumby and his low shot was deflected in by Thomas-Asante before Ayling’s leveller.

Leeds pushed for a winner which did not come, leaving them still searching for a league victory this season.