West Browmich Albion were on the verge of promotion to the English Premier League after Monday's 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Southampton left them top of the Championship with just one game of the season still to play.
The result left the Baggies level on points with second-placed Stoke but ahead on goal difference and three points clear of third-placed Hull City.
Only the top two sides are guaranteed promotion but West Brom would have to lose at QPR and Hull beat Ipswich, whilst overcoming a goal difference deficit of 12 in the process, for the Baggies to be denied automatic promotion.
West Brom's Chris Brunt was the home side's hero after Adam Lallana had shocked the Hawthorns' crowd by giving Southampton the lead with just 13 minutes left.
But Brunt's 84th minute equaliser all but secured the Midlands side's third promotion to the Premier League in seven seasons when he drilled a shot low and through the legs of unsighted Southampton goalkeeper Richard Wright.
The Saints stayed in 22nd place because their goal difference is worse than Leicester's and, if they are to stay up and avoid demotion to the third tier of English football, they will need a better result against Sheffield United on Sunday than the Foxes' manage against Stoke.
Sapa-AFP
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