West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Scunthorpe United
Report from the Hawthorns

Click here for a minute-by-minute analysis of the game

United played well but were made to pay by clinical finishing in their 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

Manager Nigel Adkins will take heart from the performance away at the division's new leaders, but an early goal from Roman Bednar and a late one by Gianni Zuiverloon sealed victory for the Baggies.

Cliff Byrne was red-carded late on for a professional foul as the Iron went back to North Lincolnshire point-less.

The Iron entered the game making four changes from the side beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Brendan Moloney replaced the suspended Marcus Williams at left-back, with Matt Sparrow, Michael O'Connor and Josh Wright coming in for Garry Thompson (hamstring injury), Grant McCann and Paul Hayes.

Joe Murphy was named in goal, with the defence consisting of captain Cliff Byrne, David Mirfin, Rob Jones and Moloney.

The midfield consisted of Sparrow, Wright, Sam Togwell and Donal McDermott, while Gary Hooper led the attack with O'Connor in support.

The substitutes were Josh Lillis, McCann, Hayes, Jonathan Forte, Martyn Woolford, Ian Morris and Michael Raynes.

There was a nip in the air at the Hawthorns as the two teams came out for the start of the game.

United, wearing all blue, were massive underdogs against the division's second-placed side but Nigel Adkins' team were looking to claim a memorable result.

The Baggies had the best of the early possession but Scunthorpe tried to be a threat on the break and had the first chance of the game in the seventh minute as Togwell struck an effort just over the crossbar after the hosts had failed to clear a loose ball.

West Brom had their first chance three minutes later, with Frank Nouble surging down the left wing and teeing the ball up for Roman Bednar, who sidefooted over the crossbar.

The hosts came close again in the 14th minute, as Joe Mattock burst forward and drilled in a low shot which eluded Murphy, and the target, at the shotstopper's bottom left-hand post.

It looked like it was going to be a busy night for Murphy, who was called into action again 60 seconds later - this time tipping wide for a corner from Nouble's low drive from the edge of the area.

And, within two minutes, Roberto Di Matteo's team were ahead as Koren surged down the right and sent in a low cross for Bednar at the near post, who clipped the ball past Murphy and into the back of the net.

Trying to chase a way back into the match, Hooper linked up well with McDermott, as the latter's cross from the left was deflected into the hands of former England goalkeeper Scott Carson.

As the half progressed, the Iron were getting more and more into the match but Moloney had to limp off after a heavy challenge from Chris Brunt, who was booked for the tackle. Ian Morris replaced the on-loan Nottingham Forest man.

Sparrow, who was making his first start since November, struck a volley wide after good work from Morris on the left.

As the half wore on, chances were being restricted and Scunthorpe were enjoying more possession in the West Brom half.

Hooper linked up well with O'Connor at one point, with the former Crewe man smashing a low effort towards goal which Carson got down well to keep out.

McDermott had a great chance soon after as he received the ball from Josh Wright. The Manchester City loanee smashed his shot over the crossbar through.

O'Connor caused more trouble with four minutes of the opening period left, curling in a free kick which Carson almost fumbled.

The Baggies were always a huge danger going forward and Nouble cut past Byrne before advancing into the area and drilling in an effort which Murphy tipped out for a corner.

As the first half drew to a close, the Iron had fought their way back into the game and had edged the last 20 minutes. However, they had no goal to show for it as the two teams went in for the break.

Neither side was in the groove attacking-wise at the start of the second period, probably how Scunthorpe preferred it, as the threat of the Baggies was nullified.

Murphy was drawn into a magnificent save from Brunt in the 57th minute as the winger turned and rifled in an effort which the Irishman pushed away.

Hooper found space and crashed a drive just over the crossbar following McDermott's link-up play, just seconds before Woolford replaced the loanee.

Brunt tried to force his way through and nearly managed to find a goal for the hosts, shooting just wide of Murohy's goal when he perhaps should have got an effort on target.

The hosts were dominant at this stage but the Iron continued to hold firm, indeed it was Scunthorpe who came close next in the 74th minute as Jones bundled an effort just wide following O'Connor's corner.

As the game reached its dying embers, McCann replaced Togwell as United seeked a fresh attacking spark in the closing stages.

The Baggies' defensive steel was present as well though and they managed to withstand what Scunthorpe threw at them.

Substitute Zuiverloon, who scored against the Iron at Glanford Park, added a late second for the home side as he received a pass from Cox and belted the ball past Murphy from just inside the penatly area.

There was more late woe for Scunthorpe as Byrne was shown a straight red card for fouling Andy Slory, who was charging through on goal with the Irishman the last man.

With their tails up, it was West Brom who had the better of the play in the closing minutes, with Murphy saving magnificently from Cox, as their victory took them to the top of the Championship.

Scunthorpe are next in action on Saturday when they visit Leicester City.

Attendance: 23,146 (250 away approx).