'It's important they feel that' - What West Brom boss hopes fans took from important win

The Greg Leigh own goal was Albion's first scored in more than six hours of football. Mason's goal-shy side registered 26 efforts at goal with six on target in a much-needed success to ease growing scrutiny on Mason's position.

Muted half-time boos were followed by jeers and chants against the head coach after former Baggies loanee Will Lankshear opened the scoring, but the hosts hit back just two minutes later to improve the mood.

Asked if it felt a significant victory, Mason said: "Honestly, probably, yes.

"In terms of results, they've not been good. Like I say, we've had some performances this season where we certainly deserve to get more points on the board.

"Then the feeling from the outside looks completely different and maybe the agenda and the direction you go is completely different. That's football.

"We need to stay committed to what we're doing and we have done that. We prepared for the game exactly the same as we've prepared for any other game, trying to help the players as much as possible.

"It's important to win games, it really is, especially here inside our stadium where we know the fans can help us and have a really big impact. It's important they go home feeling that."

Victory was an ideal sign-off for Albion for the November international break, with tough games against Coventry and Birmingham next up.

Oxford boss Gary Rowett conceded the Baggies were worthy winners but felt his side should have had a penalty for a first-half wrestle on Lankshear by Nat Phillips.

"We have a penalty shout that wasn’t given to us," Rowett complained. "I was told that both players are pulling each other.

"We haven’t had a penalty for well over a year now which feels quite bizarre. We had one here last year where it was a handball and then I got told it hit the player on the neck."