Robson: "I can't really believe we've lost the game and not won it."

BRYAN Robson insisted his side paid the price for missed chances in their undeserved 1-0 defeat at Preston.

The Baggies missed a string of gilt-edged openings - largely thanks to North End keeper Carlo Nash's outstanding performance - before Patrick Agyemang stole the points with a superb 78^th-minute winner.

Albion have now taken only two points on their travels this term and the Deepdale reverse saw them slip four places to eighth in the Coca-Cola Championship table.

"I can't really believe we've lost the game and not won it," said Robson.

"I thought in the first half there was not much in the game and we should have had a penalty for a foul on Kevin Phillips just before half-time.

"But in the second half I couldn't have asked anymore of the players. I thought we were the dominant force.

"I thought we passed the ball well, had numerous shots, created chances - but missed them all.

"That's what happens in football.

"I was really annoyed with the performance at Sunderland but tonight was more like how we can play.

"Preston is a tough place to come and they proved that on Saturday when they beat Cardiff who were top of the league.

"They are a decent side and difficult to play against.

"Agyemang scored a great goal which won them the game - but we should have been out of sight by then.

"I have to say, their keeper made some fantastic saves.

"There was one from a Martin Albrechtsen header and another from Nathan Ellington's left-foot shot which was going right into the top corner. It was a great spring from the keeper to tip it over the bar."

The Albion chief also thought his men were on wrong end of some questionable refereeing decisions, particularly against John Hartson, who was harshly booked just a minute into the second half.

"I thought the referee was influenced by the fans behind the goal," he added.

"Everytime John challenged for the ball he gave a free-kick against him.

"He booked him when there was nothing in the challenge.

"But when their strikers went up against Chris Perry and Paul McShane, we didn't get any free-kicks our way."

Robson has called on his side to bounce back when they return to Black Country soil against Southend on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Albion boast a 100 per cent record at the hawthorns, but Robson has warned his players they cannot rely solely on their home form to build a promotion platform.

"We've got to make sure we keep the run going at The Hawthorns," he urged.

"We've got Southend next and we have to make sure we pick up three points.

"But we are putting pressure on ourselves at home.

"Most teams have won one away game so far and in four goes, despite the ability we have, we haven't won a game."

See exclusive post-match interviews with Bryan Robson and Nigel Quashie now on Albion TV. To subscribe, click here.