CHRIS Wood's opener proved in vain for Albion Under-18s as their three-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat by Stoke on Saturday.
The Potters equalised from a free-kick shortly after the Baggies' Kiwi hitman had netted from Lateef Elford-Alliyu's cross in the first half to make the scores level at the break.
And a harsh second-half penalty allowed the visitors to secure all three points in the FA Premier Academy League (Group C) clash.
Albion sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "Overall I was very pleased with the performance.
"The lads did very well and we had loads of shots and created enough chances to win the game, let alone draw.
"The first half was fairly even but they equalised quickly when we switched off from a cheap free-kick.
"In the second half we were in control and were rarely threatened but the referee gave a soft penalty.
"We couldn't see what it was for but he said it was for pushing.
"It was a disappointing result but performance-wise I'm very pleased.
"We've got some good attacking and creative players.
"Paul Downing did very well at centre-half and the two wide players Lateef and Saido Berahino did very well by constantly beating their full-backs and getting crosses in."
Baggies Under-18s visit Manchester City on Saturday (ko 11am).
ALBION: Allsop, Gayle, Waghorn, Mantom (Mannion 80), Downing, Samuels, Berahino, Grier (Sawyers 60), Wood, Thorne, Elford-Alliyu. Subs not used: Tebbutt (gk), Lynch, Fowler.
