West Bromwich Albion lead Gateshead 2-0 in the FA Cup third round despite a disappointing performance during the opening 45 minutes.

Despite 85 places separating the two teams in the league pyramid, it was the minnows who started the brighter at The Hawthorns with former Everton midfielder John Oster seeing a well-struck free kick saved by Boaz Myhill.

The Baggies hit back through Saido Berahino, who fired over after good work from Victor Anichebe, but Gateshead weren't overawed against their more illustrious opponents as Matty Pattison ended a fine move by curling the ball straight at Myhill.

New head coach Tony Pulis was visibly unhappy and his frustration nearly turned to anger midway through the half when Alex Rodman eased past Graham Dorrans before dragging his shot wide of the post.

West Brom were struggling to cope with the freedom and confidence that Gateshead were playing with, and they should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark through Oster, but he struck his 12-yard effort over the bar.

However, with three minutes remaining before half time, Berahino gave the Premier League side an undeserved lead when he lashed the ball into the net from 10 yards after Michael Rankine had initially cleared off the line.

The mood had been lifted at The Hawthorns and as the half entered added-on time, the home outfit made it two through Anichebe, who collected the ball off Berahino before poking past Adam Bartlett.