West Brom 1 - Blues 0

Last updated : 12 February 2002 By Brian Cartlidge
Paul Furlong returned to 1st team action
The Blues line-up was badly hit by suspensions and injury problems and so Steve Bruce gave a first team debut to 18 year-old midfielder Darren Carter.

The Blues boss also shuffled with his strikers and surprisingly started with Paul Furlong and Andrew Johnson up front.

After the disappointing performance against Wimbledon last week Marcelo and Tommy Mooney were relegated to the bench.

Albion had the slight edge in a first half void of many clear cut chances, although Blues keeper Bennett did deny Roberts one-on-one in the 17th minute.

The best chance from Blues in the first half came on the half hour when Andrew Johnson blasted in a shot from the right side of the box that flew straight to Albion keeper Russell Hoult.

Albion took the lead in the 43rd minute, Roberts collected a crossfield ball from Adam Chambers and slotted an angled drive past keeper Ian Bennett.

After the break, Hoult did well to punch away a Michael Johnson header from a corner by Martin Grainger and Blues had a good shout for a penalty when Carter's right foot shot inside the box seemed to be charged down with his hand by Darren Moore.

Roberts came close to doubling Albion's lead but was foiled once again by Bennett who dived low at the strikers feet to collect.

Purse had a great chance to equalise for Blues in the dying seconds but scuffed his shot wide of the post when it looked easier to hit the target.

And so Blues' poor run of results continues, the side have yet to win a game this year!

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