Simon Grayson surprised a few people with his team selection and formation for Tuesday's trip to The Hawthorns, the Pool boss recalled Danny Coid into the starting line up in place of Gary Taylor Fletcher, Coid's inclusion saw Pool adopt a 5-3-2 formation with Coid and Crainey being asked to push on. Grayson's plan had worked relatively well for the first 20 minutes with both teams cancelling each other out, Kevin Phillips and Ishmael Miller fired wide for the hosts whilst Keigan Parker's pace forced Pool a corner on the quarter hour.

But with the natives beginning to get restless at the lack of goalscoring opportunities West Brom opened the scoring through the impressive Ishmael Miller, the big striker who is currently on loan from Manchester City turned Michael Jackson on the edge of the area with a great piece of skill and strength and the man mountain then slotted beyond Rachubka to give Albion the lead.

Despite being in arrears Pool continued to get the ball down and pass and on 27 minutes the Seasiders were denied an equaliser by their own player! Danny Coid was sent tumbling five yards from the West Brom byeline under a late challenge that fully deserved a yellow card, Wes Hoolahan stepped up and floated a great teasing cross, West Brom only half cleared the ball to Keigan Parker who unleashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area, unfortunately for Parker and the Tangerines Scott Vernon, who in fairness couldn't get out of the way saw the ball crash into his midrift and into the path of a relieved Dean Keily.

After that let off a West Brom fan to my left in the stand berated his back four to "wake up and get a grip", four minutes later the aforementioned supporter was letting the Baggies back four know exactly what he thought as Pool netted a deserved equaliser, Keigan Parker's pace unsettled the West Brom defence, the livewire striker unselfishly squared to strike partner SCOTT VERNON who wriggled clear of his marker and slot past the advancing Kiely.

Keigan Parker picked up the games first yellow card following a series of niggling fouls and comments to referee Mike Pike.

Parker's pace earned Pool their second corner of the game on 35 minutes, once again Parker got the better of Albrechtsen, Parker's cross was then turned behind, a quickly taken set play almost saw Pool take the lead, the Baggies defence were all at see after Hoolahan's deep cross was hooked back into the mix by Shaun Barker, the ball eventually fell to Scott Vernon who stabbed home, but his effort was chalked off for offside.

The woodwork saved Pool on the stroke of half time when Chris Brunt hit the bar, but it was Pool who finished the stronger, Keigan Parker's trickery on the edge of the area found Keith Southern unmarked but the likable midfielder saw his tame first time shot creep past Keily's right hand post.

The interval was greeted by a barrage of "Rubbish" and other such compliments by our resident Victor Meldrew sat close to the press box.

The assembled press over a cup of team and excellent jam sponge were full of praise for Pool and their first half display.

The interval saw Pool make a change with Michael Jackson being replaced by Matt Jackson, Michael Jackson had spent most of the interval with Steve Thompson trying to shake off an injury.

The opening stages of the second period was similar to the first period with both teams having half chances, Ishmael Miller went close twice for West Brom whilst Pool forced two corners and Keigan Parker curled just over.

Pool then had a period of about five minutes when they had a series of chances, Keigan Parker fired across the face off goal, whilst Matt Jackson headed a quickly taken corner just wide with Keily beaten.

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray was being berated for not making changes and on 63 minutes, Albion made their first change of the night with MacDonald replacing the ineffective Chris Brunt.

Dean Keily produced a magnificent reflax save to deny Pool on 68 minutes the veteran stopper some how beat away Keith Southern's snap shot after more excellent play from Keigan Parker.

Pool continued to dominate with Parker and Vernon causing the Albion defence all kinds of problems, the duo once again combine to earn Pool yet another corner, this time the Albion defence stood firm and were able to counter, fortunately for Pool Morrison didn't see Phillips unmarked in acres of space and the Tangerines defence were able to clear.

West Brom made a couple of changes in the space of five minutes when Gera and Koren replaced Greening and Teixeira.

With Ishmael Miller receiving treatment Pool made their second change of the night with Gary Taylor-Fletcher replacing Danny Coid, who had been excellent in a right wing back role.

Having dominated proceedings Pool were hit with yet another goal of the season contender, JAMES MORRISON picked up the ball some 25 yards out and unleashed a curling strike that whistled into the top corner and beyond Rachubka, the replay showed the strike had a taken a deflection. The goal prompted our amusing friend to lead a chant of Tony Mowbray's blue and white army, who said it was just Pool fans that are fickle!

With just under 10 minutes remaining Pool threw on Michael Flynn in place of David Fox, despite a frantic last few minutes Pool couldn't find a way through the resilient Albion defenceand once again the Seasiders left the Midlands empty handed.

Every Pool fan at the game will have been proud of Simon Grayson's men and I am sure they will agree the Seasiders didn't deserve to lose this one.

POOL: Rachubka, Coid (Taylor-Fletcher 76), Mike Jackson (Matt Jackson 45), Barker, Gorkss, Crainey, Fox (Flynn 81), Southern, Hoolahan, Vernon, Parker Subs Not Used: Jorgensen, Welsh,

WBA: Keily, Hoefkens, Robinson, Greening (Koren 70), Albretchtsen, Miller, Teixeira (Gera 74), Cesar, Morrison, Brunt (MacDonald 62) Subs Not Used: Pele, Slusaraski

Referee: Mr M S Pike

Attendance: 22,030