\n Will Lankshear, who went on to open the scoring at the Hawthorns, looked to be hauled to the ground by Baggies centre back Nat Phillips as he tried to bring the ball down and turn in the box.\n<\/p>\n
\n Will Lankshear under pressure from Krystian Bielik (Image: Mike Allen)\n<\/p>\n
\n The Tottenham Hotspur did go on to score for the U’s, but the hosts hit back just two minutes later with a Greg Leigh own goal before finding a winner in the 70th minute through Aune Heggebo.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I was told that both player are pulling each other,” Rowett revealed.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Sometimes it\u2019s such an easy thing to say in that moment but we haven\u2019t had a penalty for well over a year now which feels quite bizarre.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Oxford United defeated despite Will Lankshear opener against West Brom<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n “Will was backing in, he\u2019s strong, I thought he was a handful today. It felt as though Phillips had just sort of dragged him to the ground.\n<\/p>\n \n “If that\u2019s in the middle of the pitch, you\u2019re going to get a foul straight away. I understand that sometimes the jeopardy level in the box has to be higher, but you can\u2019t get a lot higher can you than a striker turning, about to shoot, and gets dragged to the ground.\n<\/p>\n \n “It feels a little bit like when you\u2019re a smaller team, you have to do a little bit to get those moments. That\u2019s what it feels like.\n<\/p>\n \n \n “I don\u2019t think it necessarily changes the game\u2026 I thought West Brom were better than us overall.”\n<\/p>\n \n The U’s suffered an early onslaught in the first half before the game slowed as it progressed.\n<\/p>\n \n West Brom had 15 shots to the Yellows’ two, but both sides could only force one save each from the respective goalkeepers.\n<\/p>\n \n READ MORE: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Oxford United: Championship live<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n Starting the second period well, United gave up their lead to the Baggies who had not won from a losing position since the first game of last season.\n<\/p>\n \n “I don\u2019t think you could say that we were so good we deserved to win the game,” the 51-year-old boss continued.\n<\/p>\n \n Have to say, I think that should’ve been a penalty on Will Lankshear today.<\/p>\n Phillips all over him and if it’s anywhere else on the pitch then it’s a foul.<\/p>\n This penalty drought is becoming increasingly bizarre; surely something will give soon. \ud83d\ude4f#OUFC<\/a> \ud83d\udfe1\n <\/p>\nU’s fans applaud at the Hawthorns (Image: Mike Allen)\n<\/p>\n
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