WEST Brom boss Brian Little didn't shirk the penalty controversy - admitting, when asked, that his team had got away with it.

"I am not disputing it," he said. "You always know from your own reaction and I was relieved when it wasn't given.

"So that gives you an indication.

"And it wasn't beyond us then to go and get a goal at the other end.

"I was happy at the end and really pleased at half time when I thought we were good value for the lead.

"We were disappointed because we gifted them the first goal and the second was a deflection which you can't do much about.

"But they had a situation that looks like a penalty and we got away with it."

Rovers manager Brian Kidd was believed to be so steamed up about the late penalty decision that should have gone Ashley Ward's way, he sent first team coach Brian McClair to the post-match Press conference in his place.

McClair didn't rant and rave but made the point: "The referee sees it, the linesman sees it but they don't give it. You just have to go on and accept it.

"At that stage we felt we had still done enough to get the three points.

"Probably the only disappointing thing for all of us now is that we had two chances to make amends with the second West Brom goal - maybe closing the cross down quicker and we gave the lad too much room in the box."

McClair proved a calming influence at the end of the game when Rovers wanted to continue their protests.

He added: "It looked as if it should have been a penalty and it's an emotional game. But it's not going to change it, the referee had made his decision that he felt was right at that particular moment."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.