ROMAN Bednar staked his claim for a first-team place with a brace in the opening Barclays Premier Reserve League (South) clash of the season.

But the Czech striker's first-half double - scoring in the second and 45th minutes - proved in vain as the ten-man Baggies threw away a two-goal lead at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road.

Spurs pulled a goal back four minutes after the break before young Albion defender James Hancox was sent off in the 72nd-minute for deliberate handball on the goalline.

Albion were doubly punished when Tottenham levelled the scores from the resultant penalty.

And the hosts made their one-man advantage count by snatching a winner four minutes from time.

Albion reserves boss Michael Appleton said: "We were up against it when we went down to ten men but did enough to get a point.

"Before we had a man sent off we had numerous chances and could have been 3-0 up before Spurs scored.

"Their keeper made several good saves.

"The lads put a good shift in and the game could have gone either way - a draw would have been a fair result.

"The difference in quality in this league compared to last season is noticeable and it was a really good, quick game.

"It's going to be a tough season but it will be a good education for the younger players."

Appleton added: "I challenged all the strikers before the game to show they could score goals.

"Roman did well to get a couple and he could have had more with a bit more luck."

ALBION (4-3-3): Allsop; Pike, Hancox, Martis, Saeid; Samuels, Labadie, Downing (Slusarski HT); MacDonald, Bednar, Moore (Clarke 77). Subs not used: Lake-Gaskin, Wood, Mantom. 

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