LATEEF Elford-Alliyu's first-half strike saw Albion Under-18s come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the weekend in the FA Premier Academy League.

Baggies' sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "It was a very bright game and end-to-end in the first half.

"Both sides looked like they could score.

"Possession was probably a little bit messy because people were trying to force things.

"Their goal came from us trying to force things and they broke on us.

"But we kept our heads and kept battling away and Sebastien Lake-Gaskin turned in the centre of the park and slid a lovely ball through to Lateef, who finished at the second time of asking after it came back off the goalkeeper.

"We controlled the ball better in the second half but didn't create too many clear-cut chances.

"They didn't really have any chances and it was us doing most of the pressing.

"Overall I was reasonably happy.

"The work rate and work ethic was terrific and we kept our concentration well at the back.

"With a little bit of luck and a bit more quality we could have perhaps won it."

Albion visit Blackburn on Saturday (ko noon).

ALBION (4-3-1-2): Allsop; Pike, Clarke, Hancox, Saied; Knight, Downing (Lovell 72), Mantom; Lake-Gaskin (Samuels 60); Wood (Waghorn 75), Elford-Alliyu. Sub not used: Malcolm.

Women

Albion ladies suffered a 3-2 defeat at Coventry City in the Midland Combination Main League on Sunday.

Hayley Phillipowsky and Robyn James scored consolation goals for Albion.