West Brom survived an early scare to get the post-Bryan Robson era off to a winning start as they ran out winners against League One side Cheltenham in the Carling Cup.

The Baggies, managed for the first time by caretaker boss Nigel Pearson, were without a host of star names but an equaliser from Ronnie Wallwork and two second-half penalties calmed the nerves following Kayode Odejayi's opener.

In the absence of John Hartson and Kevin Phillips, Stuart Nicholson was handed a debut up front and started brightly, testing Shane Higgs after just two minutes.

But it was Cheltenham who looked stronger in the opening stages with Brian Wilson volleying over from 12 yards and Grant McCann hitting the post after 22 minutes.

McCann was a big influence in midfield, causing lots of problems for the home defence until he was denied a richly deserved goal when his right-footed strike hit the woodwork.

Albion had chances too, with Darren Carter failing to make Higgs work with the best of them, but Odejayi put the visitors ahead when he collected Mickey Bell's long ball before finding space and firing beyond Pascal Zuberbuhler moments before the half-time whistle.

Pearson's team talk had some effect and just two minutes after the resumption Wallwork was on hand to stab home from close-range after Paul McShane's drilled cross.

With an hour gone things got worse for the Robins when Wilson was penalised for handling inside the area.

Nathan Ellington needed no further prompting and gladly smashed the resultant spot-kick home.

The hosts were revitalised and with Cheltenham's energy on the wane a second penalty was awarded in the 67th minute when Jason Koumas enticed a foul out of Bell.

Ellington stood aside, instead letting Nicholson power home for a maiden goal to seal his side a place in the next round.

Teams:

West Brom Zuberbuhler, Hodgkiss, McShane, Perry, Robinson,Carter (Gera 87), Wallwork (Greening 73), Chaplow, Koumas,Nicholson (Kamara 73), Ellington.

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Forsyth.

Booked: Kamara.

Goals: Wallwork 48, Ellington 60 pen, Nicholson 68 pen.

Cheltenham Higgs, Gill, Caines, Lowe, Bell (Yao 77), Wilson,Finnigan, McCann, Armstrong, Odejayi (Spencer 66),Guinan (Wylde 77).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Bird.

Goals: Odejayi 45.

Att: 10,974

Ref: A Bates (Staffordshire).