Albion could be promoted on Sunday if Wolves lose at home to Wimbledon. If the Molineux men win, then the Baggies can clinch a return to the top flight by beating Crystal Palace at home next week.

The game at the Valley Parade looked to heading for a draw as Bradford repelled everything Albion threw at them. But the 75th-minute introduction of Taylor, left on the bench after suffering a broken hand against Rotherham, turned the game in the visitors' favour.

In an unexciting first half, Scott Dobie had almost put Albion ahead as early as the fourth minute but his close-range volley was mis-hit over. Bradford went close five minutes later when Juanjo nearly finished a neat move on the edge of the penalty area but his forceful low effort was straight at Russell Hoult.

The visitors' best chance in the opening 45 minutes came just after the half-hour mark when Dobie glanced a header wastefully wide. After the break, Adam Chambers headed off his own line before Andy Johnson was denied by Combe after being put through by Daniele Dichio. Taylor immediately posed a threat when he came on, firing over from eight yards and then when having a close-range effort smothered by Combe.

With time running out, Taylor was upended inside the box and Balis converted the spotkick.