No Excuses For Mowbray

Tony Mowbray made no excuses for Albion's League Cup second-round defeat to Hartlepool last night claiming the League One outfit deserved to be in the hat for the next round. Albion were behind for the majority of the tie with Robert Koren sparing the Premier League side's blushes equalising 3-minutes from normal time.

The Baggies hit the woodwork three times and had a certain penalty turned down in the first period of extra-time with Hartlepool amazingly scoring twice in three minutes thanks to goals from super-subs David Foley and Richard Barker.

"Disappointment is the overriding feeling," the Albion boss said.

"I'm disappointed for the supporters who made the long trip.

"We've got to give credit to Hartlepool because they worked extremely hard for it.

"Ultimately, we weren't bright enough to win it on the night."

Mowbray made six changes to the starting line-up which faced Everton on Saturday with record signing, Borja Valero, making his Albion debut. However the Baggies boss admitted the side he picked should still have beaten their League One opposition.

"We've got a squad of Premier League footballers and you've got to trust them sometimes," he added.

"Our bread and butter is the Premier League and I tried to save one or two players for Saturday.

"But that was a full-strength side out there tonight.

"Hartlepool were playing a Premier League side so there was always going to be that extra edge to their game and they seemed to get to the drop downs first.

"We hit the bar three times and had a stone-wall penalty turned down.

"But it's not a night for excuses.

"Good luck to Hartlepool.

"They probably deserved it on the night."