THE NATIVES are growing restless. And for the first time this season Sunderland manager Peter Reid had to suffer a torrent of abuse from discontented home supporters after bowing out of the FA Cup to First Division West Bromwich Albion.

There were angry scenes around the home dug-out, where stewards had to be called to usher away irate fans, but perhaps the most worrying aspect for club officials was the gate of 29,133, with around 5,000 fans coming from the Midlands.

Clearly Sunderland supporters, unhappy with the way the season going, are starting to vote with their feet and now only an upsurge in form will prevent the groundswell of dissatisfaction from gathering momentum.

Poor displays at Southampton and Ipswich this season brought angry protests from fans, with many penning their criticism of the team's performance and even calling for the manager's head.

But this is the first time that there has been such a protest against the performance at the Stadium of Light - and Reid was well aware of the back-lash against such a disappointing display.

He said: "I'm very disappointed. It happens and you do have low moments in your career as a player and as a manager.

"I would not say it is the lowest I've had - I've had lower than this - but certainly I am not a happy chappy."

He added: "That's out of the way now. We just need to get together and regroup, get out there and work hard and try to get a result in our next game at Goodison Park."

Reid has been baffled by the way his team has blown hot and cold this season after fans were expecting much better things following two consecutive seventh placings in the Premiership.

And the last thing he wanted was a quick FA Cup exit, especially at home against opposition from a lower division.

Yet Sunderland started as though they were going to steam-roller a West Brom side which included former Sunderland striker Danny Dichio.

Certainly the apprehensive home fans must have been relieved when Kevin Phillips ended a six-game goal drought with a superb overhead kick - possibly his best goal of the season so far - in the 12th minute.

It was a perfectly executed strike, with Phillips controlling a centre from young left back George McCartney beautifully before giving goalkeeper Russell Hoult no chance from 12 yards.

It was the type of goal Phillips would love to score for England, an inspirational strike which makes him such a revered finisher, and it certainly lifted Sunderland, who clicked into gear and looked a class above their opponents.

But West Brom got a major stroke of luck in the 20th minute which changed the game.

Striker Jason Roberts, who had been a handful for the home defence, brushed off challenges from McCartney and Williams brefore breaking into the box where he was confronted by Stanislav Varga. The challenge looked nothing worse than obstruction but Wirral referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Neil Clement converted.

It was just the shot-in-the arm Albion needed and, roared on by their vociferous fans, they stormed at Sunderland and were twice thwarted by the woodwork as Adam Chambers and Andy Johnson beat goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

West Brom had another break in the 36th minute when full-back Des Lyttle launched a two-footed tackle on Argentinian winger Julio Arca, catchinfg him on the ankle, and was lucky only to be shown a yellow card.

But no-one could deny that West Brom deserved to be level at the break in what was developing into a rousing cuptie.

Roberts was giving central defender Darren Williams a roasting, and it was no surprise when the Teessider was replaced by Jody Craddock in the 51st minute, though the Albion striker continued to menace the Sunderland goal.

Roberts, who'd put a disappointing shot straight at Sorensen in the 49th minute, made amends in the 61st minute when he centred from the left for midfielder Johnson to rise unmarked to head what would prove to be the winner.

Sunderland replaced the disappointing Arca with Kilbane, who clearly wanted to impress against his old club.

But while Sunderland had loads of possession, there was little penetrative football as they tried to plough a way through the middle. And when Reid left the dug-out to remonstrate with his players for not attacking down the wings he found himself a target for sustained booing.

Sensing that Sunderland were not going to break down their opponents, many fans headed for the exits long before the end.

Albion might well have extended their lead as Roberts seemed to be brought down in the box after 86 minutes, only to be booked for diving, while substitute Scott Dobie could have put himself into double figures with a better header in the last minute.

Reid said: "We got a great goal and things were quite rosy at that time.

"But all credit to West Brom - they got a penalty, hit the bar and we huffed and puffed and didn't have enough quality to break them down.

"We didn't break them down and in the end we were beaten by a sucker-punch. We stopped playing - end of story."

Reid added: "It is a massive disappointment for the supporters and everybody involved, especially the players and myself.

"Obviously the supporters weren't happy and we need to get together, stand up and work hard and turn the season around through winning league points - that's the only way forward.

"There were 29,000 there today and you can't knock the supporters. They come and pay their money and like I've said before when you put on good performances and win games you get the pats on the back.

"When you don't play that clever and get knocked out of the Cup you come in for a bit of stick and that's the way it is in football."

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