West Brom manager Tony Mowbray insisted “nobody will be getting carried away” after their Black Country derby win over rivals Wolves lifted them back top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Albion had the better of a flowing game and, after hitting the woodwork twice, sealed all three points thanks to Zoltan Gera’s cool 59th-minute finish.

The win saw Mowbray’s men go two points clear of Hull with just three games remaining – but the Baggies boss refused to concede that he has one foot in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: “On the balance of chances created and possession, I don’t think anyone can have any complaints.

“We could have had a few more but I’ll take 1-0. We’ve had a lot of games this season which we’ve dominated and lost so I’m reasonably happy.

“We’re two points clear and it could be a lot more. Nobody will be getting carried away – I can assure you of that.

“We go to Norwich on Saturday, which will be our sixth game in 18 days, and we need another performance.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insisted that he was “immensely proud” of his side despite the defeat.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake spurned the hosts’ best chance, head over from seven yards – but McCarthy believes a play-off spot is still within reach.

He said: “They took their chance and that proved to be the difference.

“It was a terrific football match with both sides going for it. We both squandered chances and I’m immensely proud of how we played the game.

“But we’ve not managed to pick the right pass. I know they had their chances but it could have been 4-4.

“The issue is that we have lost to West Bromwich Albion.

“It can’t hurt me as much as the fans but if we win the next four and get into the play-offs then no-one will care.

“We can go into Saturday’s home match with Ipswich quite buoyant because of the way we played.

“I am bullish because we have played well over the last few weeks.

“A top six finish is definitely on the cards – and I refuse to be down.”

By Tom Rostance