FA Cup: Exeter 0 West Brom 2 - Report and pictures

Even if it was against League Two opposition, and even if they were expected to triumph, this was still an important victory for a side who have forgotten how to win in recent months.

Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez scored during an eventful first half that also included a dreadful penalty miss from Hal Robson-Kanu.

Although Exeter hit the post shortly before half-time and rallied towards the end, Albion held on comfortably.

In front of just 363 away fans ­- thanks to a stadium rebuild - and the rolling Devon hills, they put their club-record winless streak to bed.

In-demand skipper Jonny Evans didn't fly down to Devon on Friday night with the rest of the squad after complaining of a sore foot in training yesterday, which meant Chris Brunt wore the armband.

Gareth McAuley replaced him in defence, and put in a classy performance at the back.

Matt Phillips and Craig Dawson were also rested but Pardew fielded a strong team full of senior professionals.

However, there was a spot on the bench for 18-year-old winger Jonathan Leko following his recall from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers.

Exeter top scorer Jayden Stockley started, despite breaking his nose on Monday, but it was Albion striker Salomon Rondon who made an immediate impact on the match.

It took fewer than 90 seconds for the Venezuelan to give the Baggies the lead, sidefooting his shot into the top corner after Liam McAlinden's poor clearance had fallen to him on the edge of the box.

Goalkeeper Christy Pym got a hand to the shot, but he couldn't keep it out, and the early goal settled Albion's nerves.

They nearly grabbed a second eight minutes in when Grzegorz Krychowiak sparked a counter-attack that ended with Brunt's effort at the near post being saved by Pym after Jay Rodriguez had found his skipper for the day with a low cross.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs had to go off with injury soon after, forcing Pardew to bring Hal Robson-Kanu on while pushing Brunt back into defence.

But that seemed to spur the home side into action, and it took a well-timed defensive header from Krychowiak to deny Exeter an equaliser mid-way through the half after a sweeping move ended in a dangerous cross to the back post.

The Premier League side always looked threatening going forward though, and Rondon nearly grabbed his second Brunt whipped a low cross into the six-yard box, but it just evaded him.

Those two combined again moments later when Rondon nearly slipped Brunt through on goal, but it seemed like just a matter of time before Albion added a second.

That came in the 26th minute when Rodriguez capitalised on some more poor defending to stab home from close range.

Troy Archibald-Henville headed Hal Robson-Kanu's cross into one of his own men, and Rodriguez gobbled up the chance with glee.

Rondon had the ball in the net again two minutes later after chesting down a glorious cross-field ping from Krychowiak, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Although Stockley looked handy, Exeter were struggling to match their top-tier opposition, who were enjoying their afternoon.

It took a brilliant save from Pym, rushing across his line, to deny a flying James McClean from close range after Robson-Kanu had knocked Brunt's cross down into the six-yard box.

Three minutes before half-time the Baggies were awarded penalty when Pierce Sweeney upended McClean in the box.

Rondon and Rodriguez argued over who was going to take it but then Robson-Kanu inexplicably stepped up to take it.

That proved to be a mistake, because the Wales international's dreadful effort barely reached the line before Pym picked it up with ease.

And the Baggies were nearly made to pay for that penalty miss in the final seconds of injury time when Ben Foster spilled a deflected cross back into his six-yard box.

Stockley was first on the scene but his effort from two yards out hit the post as the Baggies keeper breathed a sigh of relief at the end of an eventful half.

Albion had the ball in the net yet again two minutes into the second half when Ahmed Hegazi poked home from close range after Pym palmed Rondon's shot into his path but the goal was ruled out for offside.

While the scoreline stayed two-nil, Exeter had belief they could get back into the tie, and they nearly pulled one back soon after when Dan Seaborne snuck around the back and came close to latching onto a flick-on.

Dean Moxey blasted over from a narrow angle shortly after the hour mark and Jake Taylor forced Foster into a save with a dipping long-range effort.

Exeter were better in the second half, but Albion still had enough chances to put the game beyond doubt.

Robson-Kanu drove wide from the edge of the area when he was through one-on-one and the same player sliced the ball over from around the penalty spot, although he was leaning back.

Pardew sent Sam Field on for Rodriguez with 20 minutes to go and the teenager immediately showed a couple of nice turns in midfield.

Jake Livermore also came on as Pardew tried to get this much-needed victory over the line.

But despite a late rally from Exeter, it was comfortable for Albion, who had Hegazi and McAuley in superb form at the back.

The next step is to do it in the league. Whether this will kick-start a run of form in that competition remains to be seen, but it will give the team confidence.

Albion did what they needed to in Devon, but their last two victories have been against League Two sides, and they've been four months apart.

The FA Cup is not a priority this season. Next week's match at home to Brighton is arguably far more important. But for the first time in a long while Albion will go home tonight thinking, 'job done'.

Key moments

02 GOAL ALBION - McClean's cross from the left is cleared as far as Salomon Rondon on the edge of the box, and he passes it into the top corner. Christy Pym gets a hand on it, but he can't stop it going in.

26 GOAL ALBION - Jay Rodriguez capitalises on a mistake in the Exeter box to stab home a simple goal from close range.

42 PENALTY SAVED - Albion are awarded a penalty when McClean is tripped in the box. Rondon and Rodriguez argue about who's going to take it and then Robson-Kanu steps up and passes the ball straight into Pym's arms.

45 Ben Foster spills a deflected cross back into his six yard box but even though Jayden Stockley gets there, his effort from two yards out hits the post.

47 Ahmed Hegazi pokes home from close range after Rondon's header is saved but the goal is ruled out for offside.

Man of the match

Gareth Barry - Ran the game from central midfield

Teams

Exeter City (4-4-1-1): Pym, Sweeney, Archibald-Henville, Seaborne, Moxey, Harley (Jay 86), Boateng (James 63), Tillson, Taylor (c), McAlinden (Holmes 55), Stockley. Unused subs: Jones, Woodman, Simpson, Byrne.

Albion (4-4-2): Foster, Nyom, McAuley, Hegazi, Gibbs, McClean, Barry, Krychowiak (Livermore 84), Brunt (c), Rodriguez (Field 69), Rondon. Unused subs: Myhill, Yacob, Leko, Burke, Robson-Kanu.

Referee: Lee Mason (Bolton)

Attendance: 5,638 (363 Albion)