Cup choker is a bitter pill to swallow - Ryan

FRUSTRATED Albion boss Ryan Mason saw his side dumped out of the Carabao Cup on penalties but felt they had done more than enough to win the game in normal time against Championship rivals Derby at The Hawthorns.

- By DAN NEWBOULD

Josh Vickers was the Rams’ hero, making two penalty saves to help his side beat the Baggies 3-2 on spot-kicks after the teams had drawn 1-1 in their first-round tie on Tuesday night.

The goalkeeper denied Jed Wallace and then Karlan Grant, after Derby had equalised in the final minute of stoppage time. Albion had led through Aune Heggebo’s 67th-minute goal.

“The nature of it and the timing of the goal was disappointing,” said Mason. “It was their first shot on target and we played well, we thoroughly deserved to go through, but football can be harsh sometimes.

“It was a good performance, we deserved to win. Their keeper pulled off three or four good saves.