Tony Mowbray admitted his side were well below par on a disappointing FA Cup third-round Saturday at The Hawthorns. League Two outfit Peterborough United matched their Premiership opponents for much of the game and were rewarded for their efforts with Craig Mackail-Smith's late leveller setting up a reply after Jonas Olsson had opened the scoring.
Backed by 4,000 travelling fans the visitors caused the Baggies a host of problems with Mackail-Smith coming closest to putting the Posh in the lead only to see his shot rebound off the bar after 20 minutes.
After the break the Baggies controlled the opening stages with Jonas Olsson scoring his first Hawthorns goal heading in a Jonathan Greening corner. However, not for the first time this season, Albion failed to hold on to their advantage and conceded with only three minutes of normal time remaining to set up a replay on Tuesday 13th January.
"We can't have any complaints," the Baggies boss admitted.
"Peterborough worked extremely hard and played to their strengths.
"Good luck to them.
"I saw them get a late equaliser in the last round at Tranmere and they did it again here.
"They do know how to chase a game.
"It was a different atmosphere in the stadium today compared to the Premier League.
"It was strange. We even had a Mexican wave!
"The FA Cup probably doesn't reach the intensity of the Premier League and yet you have got to try and make that intensity on the football field.
"It's sometimes difficult for the players when the stadium is not full like it is every week in the league.
"But take nothing away from Peterborough.
"1-1 was probably fair.
"Generally, we defended well.
"I couldn't really see them scoring.
"They were putting the ball forward really early and asking questions and yet I don't think we were threatened too much.
"Yet it only takes a second to score a goal.
"They got a break and we conceded a disappointing goal.
"But they were forcing the game at that point and probably deserve their replay.
"It was a frustrating day for us.
"We worked hard enough but you've got to give Peterborough credit for earning a draw."
Although admitting his disappointment at the result Mowbray still tried to stay positive as his Baggies side must now juggle FA Cup and Premier League fixtures.
"The positive is we're still in the FA Cup," Mowbray added.
"It's important we stayed in the competition.
"We live to fight another day.
"We'll go there in positive mood and try to finish off the job.
"The replay is no hindrance to us.
"Going to London Road holds no fears for us because we've won the last couple of times we've been there.
"But we've got a league match in between and we'll focus on that now.
"We'll go and play the replay when it comes."