A YOUNG Albion reserves side suffered a 3-0 defeat at Leicester in Pontin's Holidays League Division One (Central).

A harsh 33rd-minute penalty conceded by Stefan Morrison for a challenge on Billy McKay saw Ricky Sappleton give the Foxes a half-time lead after the Baggies had missed a series of chances.

And two further goals in the space of three minutes from Sappleton and Ryan Beswick after the break killed off the game 27 minutes from time.

Roman Bednar got 65 minutes under his belt as he stepped up his comeback from injury with a second successive reserves run-out.

Albion second-string coach Craig Shakespeare said: "The penalty was very dubious and I was disappointed it was given.

"Stefan tracked back and made a good challenge, so I was surprised when the referee gave it.

"Before that we created numerous opportunities with good play by Morrison, David Worrall and Ricky Nicholls to get in behind them.

"We just couldn't find the finishing touch.

"We had a youthful side and a few players out of position so, all-in-all, I was quite pleased with the performance.

"If we'd taken our chances, the score would have been closer.

"But I do think the goals affected us too much.

"We took too long to regroup after each one." 

ALBION: Steele, Hurst, Nardiello, Wallwork, Mason (Pike 75), Labadie, Nicholls, Worrall, Bednar (Alliyu 65), Hartson (Lake-Gaskin 65), S Morrison. Subs not used: Saied, Knight.

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