ALBION Under-18s' six-game winning run came to an end on Saturday as they suffered a harsh 1-0 defeat at Stoke.

The Potters made the visitors pay for missed opportunities by pinching a lead on the half-hour mark in the FA Premier Academy League (Group C) encounter.

And, despite plenty of possession, a persistent Baggies side could not find a way through after the break.

Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "It was a scrappy game on a bobbly pitch in windy conditions.

"We had two excellent chances before they took the lead in the first half.

"The way they played made it difficult for us.

"They pressed in all areas and, with their five in midfield, there wasn't much space to play in.

"We ended up going a bit too direct and turning it into a fight.

"We were better in the second half and a bit more patient.

"We had a lot of the ball but only created two or three good chances and I was disappointed with the number of chances we made considering the possession we had.

"But the lads have been on a fantastic run and it was always going to come to an end at some stage.

"It didn't come to an end because they didn't work hard enough, or because they felt the game was going to be easy.

"The boys put in maximum effort and I've got no complaints about the attitude they showed to the game.

"It was a very different game to some of the ones we've played recently.

"But that is all part of their learning process and they have to understand and learn how to play against different styles and formations."

Albion host Group C leaders Manchester City on Saturday (ko 11am).

ALBION (4-3-3): Allsop; Samuels, Clarke, Downing, Saied; Lovell (Brown 65), Sawyers, Thorne; Lake-Gaskin (Lynch 85), Wood, Elford-Alliyu. Subs not used: Carlin (gk), Knight, Waghorn.

PIC: LEARNING CURVE...Dan Ashworth admits Stoke defeat was different test for young Baggies

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