ALBION are proudly sitting second in Premier Academy League Group C after their unbeaten start to the season continued with a goalless draw at Middlesbrough.
The Under-18s kept a second successive clean sheet and could have nicked it, with England Under-17s striker Saido Berahino going through one-on-one.
Skipper Paul Downing (pictured) continued his impressive start to the season and was ably supported by excellent displays from Ashley Malcolm and George Thorne.
Academy manager Mark Harrison said: "It was a good result because Middlesbrough are renowned for producing good young players.
"The conditions were quite windy but the boys adapted well.
"They defended well, as the scoreline suggests, and also created chances.
"Over the course of the game, we probably just edged it and could have won.
"It was a good test for the lads."
The Under-18s return to action at home to Leeds on Saturday (ko noon).
ALBION: Allsop, Gayle, Connolly, Thorne, Downing, Malcolm, Berahino (Lynch 75), Grier, Elford-Alliyu, Mantom, Brown. Subs not used: Lewis, O'Neil, Mulholland, Nabi.
