Both teams made a cagey start and although the Irons enjoyed plenty of early possession the Baggies were set up[ in typical hard-to-break-down Tony Pulis fashion.

The Hammers though had an early free kick from outside the penalty area but Aaron Cresswell’s shot sailed well over the top before Enner Valencia dragged a shot wide.

Albion went close when Gardner produced a left foot volley from Brunt’s cross and Adrian was glad to see it fly just wide.

Valencia was next to try his luck from a 20 yard free kick after Moirrison’s clumsy challenge on the Ecuadorian but again the ball flew over the top.

But the Hammers were stunned on 20 minutes when Brint’s cross field ball saw Dawson beat Cresswell

A diagonal pass is pinged from Brunt out on the left to Dawson who beat Cresswell to the ball before playing it into Ideye to thump home.

The Irons tried to press forward but with Albion massing at the back we could find no way through the middle and the odd cross from Jenkinson failed to find a natural target.

In the 36th minute Gardner almost made it two when he unleashed a thunderous shot from 22 yards which rebounded off the crossbar.

But Morrison put the home side further ahead  when after some sloppy Irons challenges the striker crashed home a drive from 25 yards.

The dispirited Irons trailed off at half time without having managed a single shot on target with Albion having scored twice from their three efforts.