ALBION suffered a last-gasp 4-3 defeat at West Ham in Barclays Premier Reserve League (South).

But the Baggies were lifted by seeing Filipe Teixeira get an hour under his belt on his return to action from a six-month knee injury lay-off.

Michael Appleton's men took the lead in the seven-goal thriller at Bishop Stortford FC's ground thanks to Sebastien Lake-Gaskin's 18th-minute deflected strike.

The Hammers levelled 13 minutes later after a defensive ricochet fell kindly for them but Bartosz Slusarski won and converted a penalty to restore Albion's lead in the 39th minute.

The hosts equalised again from a set-piece in the 42nd minute but Lateef Elford-Alliyu's 25-yard cracker put the Baggies ahead a minute before the break.

Pele was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the 58th minute, allowing the Londoners to level again from the penalty spot.

And, after a sustained spell of pressure, West Ham stole all three points with a scrappy 89th-minute winner from Freddie Sears, who scored all four Hammers goals.

"It was a really good game," said Appleton.

"Both sides played some good stuff and we attacked well.

"In the first half we broke well and looked a threat.

"After the break we let them dictate too much and we needed to show more care in the final third.

"Towards the end the pressure was mounting and you could see their winner coming.

"It's disappointing to lose but the most disappointing thing was conceding four scruffy goals.

"However, we had a young side out and they showed good promise.

"I'm glad we're competing with the teams in this league and at times bettering them."

And the Baggies coach offered a positive verdict on the comeback of Portuguese ace Teixeira.

"Filipe took a few heavy challenges but just got up and got on with things," Appleton added.

"I was pleased with his performance.

"He was lacking a bit of sharpness, which is to be expected, but from time to time he showed that little burst of pace and a turn to get away from people.

"The signs are there but he probably needs three or four games before he's ready for first-team action.

"It was a competitive game and that will probably do him the world of good.

"He was delighted to get 60 minutes and said he felt fine after the game."

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