ALBION Under-18s' five-game unbeaten start to the season was brought to an end by Wolves on Saturday.
Wanderers took the lead around the half-hour mark in the FA Premier Academy League (Group C) Black Country derby.
And the below-par Baggies could not find an equaliser despite plenty of second-half pressure.
Albion coach Keith Downing said: "It was a disappointing first-half - they just shaded it.
"It was a good individual goal but one we can look to prevent after he turned on the edge of the box and danced through us a little bit before he rounded the keeper.
"We were a bit slow with our passing and a bit ponderous, and over-deliberate.
"There was not enough forward passing, or penetration or end product in the final third.
"We didn't really possess a cutting edge.
"In the second-half we territorially camped in their half but never really tested their keeper - and when crosses went in we didn't attack the ball.
"Although we worked extremely hard and got ourselves back in the game we didn't have that final ball or finish.
"It's the first defeat in six and it will make people look at their games a bit deeper and work on their game a bit harder.
"A little set-back is always part of development and learning the game.
"It will be interesting to see how the boys react in training this week before taking on Liverpool at home."
Baggies Under-18s host Liverpool on Saturday (ko 11am).
ALBION: Allsop, Connolly, Waghorn (Mulholland 80), Lovell (Brown 60), Downing, Malcolm, Lynch, Grier (O'Neil 70), Berahino, Mantom, Elford-Alliyu. Subs not used: Tebbutt (gk), Fowler.
