Despair - but we'll be back!

Yet many of the supporters – gracious in defeat after watching Albion lose yesterday's £60 million play-off final – said the Baggies should bounce back next season.

More than 30,000 supporters watched their dreams of promotion disappear as the Baggies lost 1-0 to Derby.

Marion Brown and her husband, Alan, from Tipton, travelled on one of the supporters' coaches and said Albion should have won.

"We were the better side in the first half," she said. "I thought Jason Koumas should have had a penalty when he was bought down in the box and Kevin Phillips was unlucky not to score.

"It was more even in the second half but I always thought we were going to score, even when Derby took the lead."

Dave Blake, from Warley, only made the game with minutes to spare after being caught up in traffic.

"Albion played well and were unlucky to lose but we just didn't get the rub of the green," he said. "Nothing seemed to break for us.

"I think Mowbray's got the right idea and if he gets some money in the summer I'm sure we'll be there or thereabouts next season."

Graham Jenkins, from Norton, Stourbridge, travelled to the game in a minibus with friends.

"I thought Albion were the better side but fair play to Derby," he said. "They defended as though their lives depended on it."

The Gould family had travelled from North Yorkshire to watch the game.

Julie Gould said she had enjoyed the day.

"I didn't think we would lose today because I still think we're the best team in the division," she said.