Mowbray hunting promotion glory after Wembley defeat

Tony Mowbray has put the disappointment of yesterday's FA Cup semi-final defeat to one-side insisting the Baggies can take heart from the spirited performance for the rest of the season. After reaching the last four of the FA Cup for the first time since 1982 Albion now have six games left to achieve promotion back to the Premiership starting on Tuesday when the Stripes travel north to Blackpool (KO 19.45pm).

"I was more disappointed with the result rather than the way our team played," the Albion boss stated.

"We can play like that most weeks because that's the way we play football.

"The disappointment is that we didn't win the game and that a team that has scored so many goals this season didn't threaten the Portsmouth goal enough.

"It is a missed opportunity because on the balance of play and the chances created by both teams, there was nothing in it.

"If Ishmael scores late on we could have been out there longer, or if Koren's shot goes in instead of hitting the bar and going over, who knows?

"It was a tight game.

"It was important to come out of the tie with a belief and confidence.

"It would have been very disappointing to have come out of it having not performed and been beaten comfortably and having to pick the players up for the last six games.

"The message coming loud out of the dressing room is that we're ready.

"We have six games to go and let's try to earn the right to go and play the likes of Portsmouth week in, week out."

Despite a consecutive 1-0 defeat at the new Wembley, Mowbray insists he would have no problems returning in May if the Baggies were to reach the play-off final again this season.

""If it's the play-offs this season, it's the play-offs!" he added.

"We're in a very tough league and there are a lot of teams up there scrapping to get into the top two.

"If we win our games in hand we will be top of the table.

"We've got some tough, tough games to come.

"We're at Blackpool on Tuesday, then Watford at home before we're away at our rivals Wolves the following Tuesday.

"The games are just coming thick and fast.

"It's one every three days from now on in.

"Let's hope there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for us this year.

"We'll be back here one day and, if it's this year, hopefully it will be third time lucky.

"But let's hope we don't come back here this year because we're already up."