Roberto Di Matteo was pleased to see his side battle back to beat Rotherham United and progress into the third round of the Carling Cup after an extra-time scare.
The Baggies’ head coach made nine changes to the side which swept Ipswich aside with Roman Bednar, Abdoulaye Meite and Borja Valero all making their first starts of the season.
The Baggies had an early advantage after Craig Beattie curled in a 20-yard effort however were pegged back 19 minutes later by a Micky Cummins header. Graham Dorrans’ majestic curler restored the Championship’s side advantage but Rotherham were level almost immediately through a Tom Pope bullet header.
With the game now into extra-time Pope drew first blood for the visitors with a volley from 18-yards following a misplaced Leon Barnett header. However the Millers were denied a cup upset after Craig Beattie first curled in an unstoppable effort before Simon Cox scored his first Albion goal four-minutes before penalties.
“We wanted to get through to the next round," a relived Di Matteo said.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't do it within 90 minutes so we had to go to extra-time.
"But we are pleased we won eventually.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game.
"Rotherham are in good form and have started the season really well.
"They play good football as well and if you're not on top of your own form, life is difficult.
"I thought it was an all-round good team performance.
"I am not happy with a couple of sloppy goals we conceded.
"You're always going to struggle if you concede those type of goals.
"On the other hand, we showed good character and a good reaction when we went behind.
"We kept going and, physically, I thought we were very strong, especially in extra-time.
"They kept going and we kept going until the last minute.
"Only time will tell us how much this game has cost us.
"But we are a fit team and there was a sense of enjoyment at the end, rather than relief.
"We'll just take whoever we get drawn against in the next round."