FA Cup: Charlton 0 West Brom 1 - Report and pictures

A solitary goal from Kenneth Zohore was enough to earn the Baggies victory at The Valley.

But with promotion to the Premier League the aim for Slaven Bilic this season, the head coach opted to keep a host of his key men at home and instead gave a much needed run out to his squad players.

The Croatian made 11 changes from the draw with Leeds with a host of surprising names in the starting XI.

Jack Fitzwater made his Albion debut at centre-half with Republic of Ireland under-21 international Dara O'Shea at right-back.

Rekeem Harper was also given a rare chance to impress in central midfield while Kyle Edwards started on the left-wing.

Those players - all aged 22 or under - ensured the Baggies had four players in their starting XI who had come through the club's academy with a further four on the subs bench.

Bilic's, though, ensured they had plenty of experience around them with

Ahmed Hegazi, Chris Brunt, Gareth Barry and Charlie Austin also starting.

It meant Albion lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Austin partnered by Zohore up front.

Charlton's Lee Bowyer also opted to make full use of his squad with the boss making nine changes from their previous outing against Swansea.

Lining up in a 4-1-4-1 system, youngsters James Vennings and Abraham Odoh made their first starts for the club with 16-year-old holding midfielder Aaron Henry also included from the off.

It was Charlton who created the game's first chance with Brendan Wiredu seeing a volley from the edge of the box sail narrowly wide in the opening few minutes.

But at a subdued Valley, there was little else to shout about as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark - with the game having an atmosphere similar to a reserve match.

It was Bilic's side, though, who were dominating possession with the Baggies popping the ball around well at times only to then see play break down.

But gradually their quality began to tell and they opened with the scoring when Zohore found himself through on goal following a neat one-two with Edwards.

The former Cardiff forward then calmly rolled the ball past Dillon Phillips and into the net for his first Albion goal from open play.

Lifted by the strike, the visitors then went in search of a second with Charlton only sporadically looking dangerous on the counter.

First Austin saw a fierce volley from the edge of the box blocked after he latched onto a knock-down from Zohore.

Then just before half-time, the lively Harper also went close with a powerful long-distance strike.

Following the re-start, Charlton were determined to show more ambition with Jonathan Bond doing well to get down and tip away a low drive from Villa loanee Andre Green.

Albion though were adamant they should have had a penalty just moments later when Austin met a fine Conor Townsend delivery.

The striker then saw his goal-bound header seemingly blocked by the hand of Deji Oshilaja.

But despite some passionate appeals from the 30-year-old, referee David Webb only opted to award the Baggies a corner which was subsequently cleared.

With 20 minutes to go, Albion were looking for that second goal to put the game to bed with the Addicks there for the taking.

And they should have got it when Townsend picked out Edwards in the box with a low cross.

But from eight-yards, the winger then fired over and wide when he really should have hit the target.

Now well in control, Albion went on to create two even better chances to extend their advantage.

After collecting the ball in the box, Brunt produced an outrageous chip which looped over a stranded Phillips before hitting the crossbar.

But the ball then fell for Austin who saw a fierce strike spectacularly blocked by the keeper from point-blank range.

The striker then realised it wouldn't be his day in front of goal when he clipped the post with a snap-shot from the edge of the box.

Charlton had barely been in the tie.

But with time running out they rallied and almost snatched an undeserved draw right at the end.

A cross from the left was acrobatically met by Josh Davison who saw his volley cannon back off the crossbar.

Albion, though, more than deserved this win in what proved an intriguing afternoon for Bilic.

They may not have set the world alight but there were still a number of impressive performances from Albion's fringe players.

O'Shea and Fitzwater both looked assured at the back while Harper looked full of confidence and determined to make his mark - with the youngster impressing in a real box-to-box display.

The likes of Brunt and Barry added some much-needed guile and experience.

Hegazi was also commanding in defence while Zohore will be delighted to net his first Baggies goal from open play.

Those factors ensured Albion and Bilic left the capital with plenty of positives.

But it will still be a very different team when they take on Charlton at The Valley again in just six days time.

Charlton (4-1-4-1): Phillips, Oshilaja, Solly, Sarr, Green (Hemed 60), Wiredu (Williams 70), Odoh, Stevenson, Davison, Vennings, Henry (Morgan 60).

Subs not used: Harness, Williams, Gallagher, Pratley, Powell.

Albion: (4-4-2) Bond, Fitzwater, O'Shea, Hegazi, Townsend, Edwards (Tulloch 90), Harper (Shotton 90), Barry, Brunt, Austin, Zohore.

Subs not used: Al-Habsi, Krovinovic, Soule, Willock, Richards.