Earnshaw sinks Lilywhites
By Adam Marshall. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Robert Earnshaw's late double ensured West Brom progressed at the expense of Preston and handed Bryan Robson his first win as Baggies boss.
Despite being predicted to struggle by many, West Brom were worthy winners although they didn't look like forcing a breakthrough until Earnshaw intervened.
North End's Youl Mawene nearly opened the scoring, but at the wrong end, when he looped a header on to the roof of his own net with goalkeeper Andy Lonergan stranded.
Rob Hulse, who came on as a substitute for the injured Geoff Horsfield, wasted the best chance of the first period when he headed wide a Martin Albrechtsen cross from the right.
Earnshaw had the ball in the net ten minutes after the interval, but was adjudged offside.
However, the Wales international was not to be denied and broke the deadlock with just 14 minutes remaining.
The diminutive striker deftly converted substitute's Jason Koumas' cross with a neat near-post finish.
Victory was confirmed seven minutes later when Earnshaw latched on to a long clearance from keeper Russell Hoult and coolly lobbed the advancing Lonergan to double the visitors' money.
| Team Name | Preston North End | West Bromwich Albion |
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
| Shots On Target | 1 | 4 |
| Shots Off Target | 5 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 0 | 1 |
| Corners | 3 | 7 |
| Fouls Conceded | 18 | 15 |
| Offsides | 1 | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 3 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
 | ||
Robert Earnshaw
