GILES Barnes claimed Albion's patience paid off as he came off the bench to earn the penalty that set them on their way to a 2-0 win at Swansea last night.
The former Derby ace replaced Chris Brunt in the 70th minute and just nine minutes later he was tripped by Angel Rangel in the box.
Graham Dorrans slotted home his eighth spot-kick of the season to open the scoring in a game of few chances and fellow sub Ishmael Miller sealed the points with his second strike in as many games a minute from time.
"We had to be patient," said Barnes.
"They're a good team and we kept stressing that.
"They pass the ball well and they are well organised with a good setup so it's just about taking your chance when you get it."
And, asked for his verdict on the penalty, he added: "I faced him up, checked inside, faked to shoot and then dragged the ball to the side of him.
"As he tried to turn with me his knee caught my knee so that's a penalty.
"Dozza has got that cool, calm head about him and he's the sort of player you want in your team and taking your penalties.
"We haven't really got a problem when Dozza steps up.
"That goal made them come and attack us afterwards and made the game a little bit more in our favour.
"But we still had to keep our positions and work hard because they don't give the ball away lightly."
The Liberty Stadium victory was built on the Baggies' 12th league clean-sheet of the campaign, which came despite an enforced half-time defensive reshuffle when Gianni Zuiverloon replaced the injured Jonas Olsson (calf).
And Barnes insists everyone in the squad is playing their part after second-placed Albion opened up an eight-point gap to nearest rivals Nottingham Forest.
"It's good to go on and have an impact but if I hadn't gone on there is plenty of talent on the bench and on the pitch that could have done the same thing," he said.
"It's all credit to the boys who started and the subs who didn't get on, along with the squad and the management, because we've got something special here.
"We've just got to concentrate on winning, winning, winning and not concentrate on who is behind us and who is on top of us.
"We just want to keep that mentality and, as long as we do that, we think we'll be okay.
"It's a big lead but we can't take anything for granted.
"We've just got to concentrate on winning games and that's our main focus.
"I have said before when people have asked me this question, the whole thing is still open.
"There are still nine games to go and a lot can happen in nine games.
"People can lose form towards the end and people can go on little runs.
"There are a lot of points up for grabs so we've got to keep our heads and keep winning."
