Jimmy Shan’s Baggies found themselves three goals down inside 20 minutes at Ashton Gate as goals from Josh Brownhill, Andi Weimann and Jack Hunt put the Championship play-off hopefuls in command.

But just after the restart, on-loan forward Gayle gave the visitors a lifeline, heading in Stefan Johansen’s delivery before playing a part in his side’s second as his throw found its way to Jay Rodriguez, who slotted home.

They couldn’t muster a leveller, though, leaving the Baggies nine points off an automatic promotion place in fourth, while the fifth-placed Robins closed the gap on their opponents to five points.

Jacob Murphy, another Newcastle loanee, didn’t feature for Shan’s men.

Elsewhere in the second tier, Achraf Lazaar and Jack Colback faced each other at Hillsborough as Sheffield Wednesday took on Nottingham Forest.

It was Wednesday who emerged victorious, as Marco Matias’ brace and a strike from George Boyd won it for Steve Bruce’s side.

Rolando Aarons missed out but Lazaar was introduced as an 86th-minute substitute for the hosts, while Colback started for Forest but was replaced with 20 minutes remaining.

In League One, midfielder Dan Barlaser lined up for Accrington Stanley in their 1-0 home defeat to Rochdale, but full back Liam Gibson wasn’t part of John Coleman’s squad.