Darren Moore defends West Brom back line
Darren Moore believes Albion's defending is improving despite conceding a sickening late goal from a set-piece to former Baggies boss Tony Pulis.
Albion were undone in injury time at the Riverside by a Daniel Ayala winner in the 91st minute.
There was a hint of handball about the goal, but it was still a poor one to concede, and exploited Albion's frailties in the Air once more.
Craig Dawson jumped underneath the free-kick while Ahmed Hegazi let Ayala run across him too easily.
But Moore defended his backline, who are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Championship this season, by saying they repelled Boro for 90 minutes before that.
"I wouldn't say we've got to work on it," he said. "For 90 minutes you've seen us defending resolutely.
"It's just that we've lost the flight of the ball, it's a basic elementary mistake.
"We tried to play our game, we fashioned a couple of chances in both halves, the point for us was the breakaway when Matty and Dwight got down the pitch.
"On another day that goes in. We missed that opportunity."
Ayala appeared to control the ball with his hand before rifling it into the bottom corner.
"I've only seen it from the angle behind," said Moore. "The analysis guys will give me the TV footage. It looked it but I can't comment on it too clearly.
"It was bit of sickener to lose in that manner so late in the game especially when you felt you came away from home and you dominated the game in the manner that we had.
"To come here and move the ball the way we did was good. They've changed their system to nullify us and that tells us all you need to know."
Pulis, however, thought his side deserved all three points.
"I'm a little bit disappointed we never came in at half-time with a couple of goals," said Pulis, whose Boro team went top with the win.
However, he believes Albion will be threatening the top two come the end of the season.
"I think they've got the best squad and the best players and whoever finished above them will get promoted," said Pulis.
"They bring (Craig) Dawson and (James) Morrison off the bench, they've got real quality in that football club.
"They've still got Nacer Chadli to come in to the team. We've caught them cold and played really well but other times they will play well and beat teams."
