Ryan Mason admitted Birmingham City’s late equaliser at The Hawthorns was punishment for his side missing opportunities to add a second goal in the second period on Wednesday night.
Alex Mowatt fired the Baggies in front in the early stages of the Sky Bet Championship showdown, but German forward Marvin Ducksch levelled the contest with just over ten minutes remaining.
Mason’s men had two scenarios in the second period where they broke away and had a numerical advantage bearing down on goal, as well as plenty of shots towards James Beadle’s frame, however the hosts were unable to capitalise on those situations.
The boss said: “We’re so disappointed. The boys played a good game and I’m proud of the effort they are putting in every single week.
“We went 1-0 up and I think we deserved to do so as well. I thought we used the energy in the crowd well inside the first 20 minutes, and we made that count by scoring.
“In the second half - it’s probably been a bit of common theme when we’ve gone a goal up - we’ve had so many moments and opportunities to go and create some distance between us and the opposition, but we’ve not been able to make those moments count.
“Today we had a 3-v-1 and a 2-v-1 in half of the pitch, and they’re the small details and small moments that we’re not quite making count at the moment.
“1-0 is always a dangerous scoreline, regardless of how the game is going. To concede from a set-play is extremely disappointing, but, at the same time, I’m so proud of the lads’ effort and willingness to work and how they are inside the match.
“I think every game we’ve gone 1-0 up in, we’ve always had opportunities to go and get a second. We’re creating the moments – we’re there. It’s just that final action we need to improve on. We need to help the players get better at that and understand that if we become better at that, the situation will change.
“I think Blues had a bit of territory, but from that territory, some of our best moments came from that via the regains.
“I think Josh Griffiths pulled off a couple of late saves after they scored their equaliser, but, from memory, I can’t think of Josh having to make too many saves.
“Blues are a good side and teams have spells and they have moments. It’s about getting through those ten-minute periods. If we score the second, it’s a completely different game.
“We had moments and opportunities but we didn’t make them count and ultimately we’ve been punished once again for not making the most of the situations we had.
“It’s extremely disappointing not to win that game and it hurts. We need to try and help the players.”
