CARL Hoefkens insisted Albion's promotion-clinching chance could not have fallen to a better man than super-sub Chris Brunt.

The Baggies came close to scoring through Ishmael Miller, Kevin Phillips and Neil Clement either side of Adam Lallana's 78^th-minute opener for Southampton

But Brunt stepped off the bench and succeeded where others had failed by smashing home a priceless 84^th-minute leveler to seal that all-important point.

Only a highly improbable turn of events would now deny table-topping Albion a return to the Premier League on Sunday.

"We were the better team by a mile and then they scored out of nothing," said Hoefkens, who celebrated on the pitch afterwards with son Milan.

"The fans went quiet for ten seconds and you start thinking about the worst-case scenario ever!

"Then the ball fell to Brunty and if there is anyone you want it to fall to outside the box, it is him.

"He just wants to break the net and he almost did!

"It was a massive relief and the noise from our fans must have been heard all the way up to Newcastle!

"We had enough chances to win but we can't complain about a draw."

The 29-year-old defender added: "Before the game I was looking at Brunty in the dressing room and he was disappointed because he wasn't starting.

"But then he came on and changed the game.

"That is what it's all about.

"He's a hero now and he totally deserves it.

"That's what it's been like all season.

"Players from the bench can change the game for us and they say a team is only as strong as its players on the bench.

"We've got an amazing bench and it's been great playing in this side."

The Belgium international has now set his sights on beating QPR on Sunday to pip his former club Stoke to the Championship crown.

And Hoefkens is more than happy to put the celebrations on hold until then.

"We want to win at QPR, especially for all the fans that are travelling down there," he said.

"We'll celebrate a little bit this week but the celebrations can wait because we'll have weeks to celebrate after QPR."

PIC: NICE ONE SON...Hoefkens celebrates with son Milan

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