Middlesbrough beat Albion 2-0 in Tony Mowbray’s first official game back as head coach on Tuesday night.
Goals either side of half-time by Hayden Hackney and Ben Doak earned Boro all three Sky Bet Championship points at The Riverside.
The Baggies return back home this Saturday, hosting a Hawthorns clash with Portsmouth (ko 3pm).
Mowbray had a watching brief during Saturday’s Stoke draw - but decided to name an unchanged XI against his former team, who gave him a very warm reception before kick-off.
Darnell Furlong fired a shot past the far post as the sides exchanged early chances, Boro also threatening when Emmanuel Latte Lath swept over and Delano Burgzorg saw one well blocked.
Other than a Mikey Johnston attempt being halted and Tom Fellows poking a difficult chance into the side netting, it was Boro who created the better first-half opportunities.
And they scored on the 29-minute mark thanks to Hackney’s effort, the midfielder grabbing the lead through a swerving, long-ranger.
Alex Palmer’s strong save then denied former Baggie Finn Azaz a goal, while Latte Lath also acrobatically hit off-target, as the visitors reached the break just one down.
However, the second period was much improved, Albion flying out of the blocks and putting their hosts under pressure.
Johnston half-volleyed a decent opening wide, though Mason Holgate went closest - nodding onto the post following Johnston’s wicked cross.
Attackers Jed Wallace, Devante Cole and John Swift were introduced in an attempt to find a leveller. Instead, Boro secured victory with seven minutes remaining via Doak’s curler, sending the Baggies home empty handed despite further pressure throughout stoppage time.
Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Holgate, Heggem, Styles; Molumby (Swift 66), Mowatt; Fellows, Diangana, Johnston (Cole 78); Grant (Wallace 66).
Substitutes: Wildsmith, Taylor, Frabotta, Diakite, Racic, Bostock.