WEST Brom boss Gary Megson admitted his side failed to bridge the quality gap as Rovers gained revenge for a 1-0 reverse at the Hawthorns earlier in the season.

Marcus Bent's ninth goal of the season proved enough to sink Albion on a day when the visitors mustered just one shot on target. But former Blackpool chief Megson later defended his decision to leave 15-goal hitman Jason Roberts on the bench.

"We came and tried to play in a different manner to the way we normally play," said Megson. "We tried to use three midfielders in a bid to counter Rovers' because that's where we felt they were strong.

"And by the end of the first half, I thought we were the stronger side.

"So we weren't playing just for a point.

"We approached the game in the same way as Blackburn by playing a 3-5-2 formation. But the key difference was we didn't have enough quality.

"You only had to look at their bench to see the difference between the two sides. Our organisation and work-rate was first class but they have international players and we don't."

Megson was disappointed, however, with the way his side conceded the winner following a piece of magic from Israeli international Eyal Berkovic.

"Our defending on the goal was pathetic and that left us chasing the game.

"Both teams then had chances but the game was too stretched for us after that."