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Mowbray has no answer for Hartlepool loss

27/08/2008

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray has offered no excuses for his side's 3-1 Carling Cup exit at the hands of Hartlepool.

Danny Wilson's team had looked to be heading for a victory in normal time thanks to Joel Porter's 61st minute opener before Robert Koren equalised for the visitors with three minutes remaining.

But the Baggies lost out to the League One outfit in their second round clash after extra time goals from David Foley and Richard Barker at Victoria Park.

Speaking afterwards, Mowbray – who has already seen his team lose their opening two Premier League matches – admitted that "disappointment [was] the overriding feeling".

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

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

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

"Our bread and butter is the Premier League and I tried to save one or two players for [Saturday's match at Bolton Wanderers].

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

Mowbray admitted the lower division side probably benefitted from the atmosphere created at their ground - playing a well-known side filled with top-level players - but he refused to make excuses for his team's below-par performance.

"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 the drop downs first," he concluded.

"We hit the bar three times and had a stonewall penalty turned down.

"But it's not a night for excuses – good luck to Hartlepool."