Daniele Dichio broke the resistance of Third Division Cheltenham to send the
Baggies into their first FA Cup quarter-final in 20 years.
Gary Megson's side dominated territorially for long spells against the Robins,
conquerors of Burnley in the previous round, who were content to defend deep and
in numbers.
But a full bloodied cup-tie was eventually settled when former Sampdoria
striker Dichio thundered an unstoppable header past Cheltenham keeper Steve Book
after 64 minutes.
It was yet another single goal victory - the 13th of the campaign - for Albion
who are now unbeaten in 10 league and cup matches and have gone 721 minutes
without conceding a goal.
But Cheltenham fully deserved their standing ovation at the final whistle from
their 5,000 fans after making it a frustrating afternoon for the home side until
Dichio struck.
Andy Johnson was a key figure in a forward midfield role for West Brom
although the number of clear-cut chances could be counted on one hand.
For the visitors Jamie Victory was impressive in defence and the outcome could
have been so much different if his header had not been cleared off the line.
But no Premiership club will relish a trip in the next round to the Hawthorns
with Albion having already defeated Sunderland and Leicester in this season's
competition.
Albion began at a high tempo ad it needed a good tackle by Chris Banks to halt
the lively Andy Johnson after he had burst into the penalty area.
Another similar run by Jason Roberts took him into a dangerous position but he
was foiled by a fine challenge from Victory.
The visitors quickly set their stall out to defend in depth and rely on the
quick break but they were relieved in the 20th minute that referee Matt Messias
showed leniency towards Banks.
Roberts turned superbly just inside the Cheltenham half to race clear of
Antony Griffin and he was starting to bear down on goal when Banks came across
to pull him back. The Albion fans were incensed and called for Banks to be sent
off but Messias decided that a yellow card was sufficient punishment.
There were precious few chances in the first half and Derek McInnes's
frustration boiled over when he was booked by chopping down Lee Howells in the
penalty area.
Then Cheltenham had a rare opportunity after 37 minutes when the ball dropped
to the lively Tony Naylor in the area but he miskicked and Phil Gilchrist was
able to clear.
Albion's best chance of the first half came five minutes before the interval
when Roberts played the overlapping Adam Chambers into space inside the area.
But, with only Cheltenham keeper Steve Book to beat, he sent a weak shot
straight at him from 12 yards out and that was the sum of the first half
entertainment.
Albion started the second half on the offensive and had penalty appeals
rejected after a challenge by Mark Yates on Chambers.
But it needed a goal-line clearance from Chambers to prevent Cheltenham from
taking a dramatic lead after 56 minutes. Milton's corner picked out Victory and
his header back across goal was headed away by Chambers.
Albion were soon back on the attack and Book did well to beat out a shot from
Roberts after he had powered his way into the penalty area.
But the resistance of the Third Division side was finally broken after 64
minutes through Dichio.
Igor Balis sent over one of the few quality crosses from either flank during
the game and Dichio sent an unstoppable header past Book.
After a run of seven games without a goal, it meant that the former Sunderland
striker was on target for the second successive match after his winner against
Norwich last weekend.
Albion substitute Scott Dobie could have clinched the game three minutes from
time but he shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Cheltenham staged a brave, late rally but in truth Russell Hoult was seldom
troubled in the Albion goal.
Teams:
West Brom: Hoult, Sigurdsson, Moore (Butler 82), Gilchrist,
Balis, Adam Chambers (Dobie 58), McInnes, Johnson, Clement,
Roberts, Dichio.
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Fox, Jordao.
Booked: Sigurdsson.
Goals: Dichio 64.
Cheltenham: Book, Griffin, Mike Duff, Banks, Victory, Howells,
Yates, Williams (Devaney 68), Milton (Brough 63),
Naylor (Grayson 63), Alsop.
Subs Not Used: Higgs, Howarth.
Booked: Banks, Howells, Naylor, Yates.
Att: 27,179
Ref: M Messias (York).
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