It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Take the boys on a team-building exercise to develop that kindred spirit and enhance the togetherness the players have showed on the park all season.

Maybe last Thursday's trip to the dogs was seen by Town boss George Burley as a chance for one or two of the lads who have not always seen eye to eye to bury the hatchet and give their relationship another chance.

Give them a day out at the races, perhaps even throw a few quid in their direction for a flutter to calm their nerves as promotion meltdown begins to loom large on the horizon.

Sometimes, though, the problems in a marriage cannot be repaired and what better way to dispose of your dirty linen than to hang it out for public consumption.

Jim Magilton and David Johnson have rarely sung from the same songsheet and proof their relationship has deteriorated to such an extent that the decree nisi is on the verge of being issued was evident at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

Johnson had just missed an open goal when he took exception to Nothern Ireland international midfielder Magilton's vitriolic verbal attack.

It provoked nothing more than a playground spat between the pair as Johnson shoved one of his mitts into Magilton's face but it must have made great TV for the watching Sky viewers.

Burley showed his mettle by hauling off the pint-sized forward and replacing him with record signing Marcus Stewart, but it has exposed a divide within the camp.

By that time Town had again dominated proceedings to near farcical proportions but had fallen behind to a goal from the West Midlands' most famous curry eater after 43 minutes.

West Brom's tenacious striker Lee Hughes, who tucks into a vindaloo after each goal he scores for the Baggies, nudged the First Division strugglers into a first-half lead after a mistake in the Town defence.

The normally reliable Tony Mowbray was caught in possession by midfielder Richard Sneekes and the Dutchman put Hughes through to score his 17th of the season.

It was the Baggies' first goal against Town at the Hawthorns since Gary Bannister's effort in 1990.

And judging by the way the home fans celebrated, the sight of a bulging net in the visitors' goal is not something they are accustomed to.

They have tried - and failed - to beat Ipswich in their last 25 attempts, but Town have captain Matt Holland to thank for keeping that record intact.

Perhaps Hughes was already looking forward to his evening in the Balti House when he was taken off injured at half-time, but Albion reckoned without the influential Town skipper.

The Republic of Ireland international succeeded where Johnson failed to earn a crucial point with a goal in the 67th minute.

He rode unchallenged through the token resistance of West Brom's defence before sliding the ball under the keeper for his ninth goal of the season.

Each goal he scores is increasing in importance. He got the opener against Tranmere two weeks ago and won a few more admirers here with another faultless performance.

Town's next appearance on live television is scheduled for April 25 when they take on Crystal Palace, but Robert Kilroy Silk's invitation to Johnson and Magilton is, apparently, already in the post.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.