Tony Mowbray admits Albion’s last-gasp defeat to Bristol City is incredibly tough to take.
The key Sky Bet Championship encounter at Ashton Gate looked to be heading for a draw after second-half strikes from Nahki Wells and Alex Mowatt.
Jayson Molumby was shown a straight red card in the final minutes of normal time, and the hosts went on to make their numerical advantage pay when Haydon Roberts squeezed the ball through the legs of Josh Griffiths with virtually the final kick.
Mowbray said: “The last two weeks have been pretty tough for us.
“We lost a very late goal at Norwich and the nature of the defeat against Sunderland, where had a lot of domination and chances and a lot of really good build up, was tough to not get over the line in that one.
“Tonight, the first half was tough for us. They had a lot of energy and intensity with the way they played. They played a little bit like how we do, regarding the high pressing and making it difficult for us to get any rhythm in the game.
“The second half we started to dominate and we got on top. When we scored, there was only one team who was going to go on and win the football match.
“The sending off gave them the impetus to push on. I haven’t seen the red card back, but I was frustrated on the touchline. Ousmane Diakité got a bad knock on his leg and he’s swollen and bruised. He was getting treatment as I came out to do this interview.
“I understand why the referee maybe played on when he was down, but I know the personality of the player and he wouldn’t do that.
“He’s not one these who thinks he’s clever, he’s a hardworking honest boy who got kicked and the ref, in my opinion, should’ve stopped the game.
“We found it hard to get up the pitch after that with ten men, but we still felt pretty comfortable.
“Obviously they scored right at the death. That’s football and we have to accept it. It’s so hard to take so late in the game.
“We’ve suffered tonight and we’ve suffered over the last couple of weeks. For me, that’s three on the bounce that we’ve lost, where we really should have won.”
