Harry Redknapp reckoned an opening goal from QPR would have sunk Albion last night.

And he was desperately frustrated that they didn’t get it.

Albion boosted their play-off hopes – and probably ended QPR’s dreams of automatic promotion – by beating them 2-0 at the Amex.

But even Redknapp was surprised how much of the ball his men enjoyed.

He said: “I thought it would be a hard game but it wasn’t that hard a game, even though we lost.

“I’m the first to hold my head up when we get beat. We were useless at Nottingham Forest.

“But I thought for 80 minutes (last night) was as good as I’ve seen us play.

“We didn’t take our chances. We got great opportunities and I just felt we didn’t get a break.

“We were solid at the back, we were strong everywhere. It just needed a goal.

“I think if we had got our noses in front there would have been no problem.”