Referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot in the 90th minute when Luke Shaw was brought down in the box by Youssouf Mulumbu.

Rickie Lambert duly stepped up to convert the spot kick to give the visitors all three points from their trip to The Hawthorns.

And Clarke believes this decision was harsh on the hosts, but did admit his side were too slow out of the blocks against a club that came into the game having not won at West Brom since 1984.

"I thought it was very soft, clever play from the Southampton player, but to make that call at that stage of the game was a big, big decision to make.

"We were disappointed with our first half, certainly with our start to the game, Southampton started much better. They were on the front foot from the off and they pinned us back."

However, the Scot went on to say he saw signs of improvement after the break, insisting his side could have even nicked the win themselves before Lambert struck.

"At half time we readjusted a couple of things and second half I thought we were much better," he added.

"As it petered out to a 0-0, which I think it was doing, if any team looked like nicking it I think it would have been us."