Steve McClaren rues Karl Darlow's error against West Brom

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren said Karl Darlow’s error against West Brom was the only difference between the teams.

Newcastle's stand-in goalkeeper had a Premier League debut to forget as his error from a Darren Fletcher header handed West Brom a vital 1-0 win.

Darlow was brought in as a late replacement for first-choice goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who was unwell in the warm-up, but the former Nottingham Forest 'keeper allowed a header to squirm past him with 12 minutes.

McClaren said: "We defended so many set-plays into the box magnificently and fought for the right to defend well.

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"To die in the box in order to keep the ball out, as we say. It was a soft goal and that's the difference."

Newcastle remain in the relegation zone after their second 1-0 defeat in three days, but defended manfully against West Brom, who had 22 shots at goal, 12 of which were blocked by Newcastle defenders.

Paul Dummett and Fabricio Coloccini both hit the woodwork for the visitors in a pulsating affair that also saw appeals for a penalty on Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic turned down.

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Jonny Evans appeared to impede Mitrovic but the referee was unmoved and it was a decision that irked McClaren.

McClaren added: "It's about decisions - I'm afraid the referee will look back and say he got that decision wrong. Mitrovic was being manhandled in the area and was put off his shot. I've seen it so many times. It's unbelievable. It's cost us three points.

"They go up the other end and score the vital goal and we've got nothing out of the last two games. But we've showed great attitude and the players have fought away. We're not getting much luck at the moment - we conceded with the last kick of the game at Everton and we should have scored first in this one with that penalty."