GARY Megson hailed Robbie Blake "as good as it gets" after the Clarets hitman almost won the show.

Blake took his goals tally to 15 for the season after shaking off man-marker James Chambers and beating Baggies keeper Russell Hoult with a stunning finish.

Albion boss Megson, admitted: "We asked James to look after Blake and he didn't cause us too many problems. But if he gets the ball at his feet in the box, he's probably as good as it gets in the First Division."

Megson added: "I look at Burnley as a talented outfit. They have the likes of Blake, Glen Little and Ian Moore, but the problem they have us if they lose a few players the squad is not anywhere near strong enough.

"But that's certainly not Stan's fault though - needs must at times."

Megson believed his side deserved to win the game after creating several decent goalscoring chances, but finding former Albion keeper Brian Jensen in inspired form.

And the Baggies boss was far from happy with the red-card flashed at striker Rob Hulse for violent conduct following an elbow on Burnley defender Mark McGregor.

Megson said: "I thought we had a lot of chances, and even with ten men we still had the best of it and never looked as though we were not going to score.

"I am upset with the sending off though. It looked aggressive, but that is what we want from Rob and he had just had an awful challenge down his back."

"Knowing Rob, he is not the kind of player who goes whacking people all over the place. It was a centre forward's challenge, but the way the referee was, it was something he was looking to do all afternoon. His performance was, at time, laughable."