KEEMAR Roofe's opener proved to be nothing more than a consolation as a young Albion reserves side were knocked out of the Birmingham Senior Challenge Cup 4-1 at Sutton Coldfield Town.

The Baggies forward fired home a sweetly-struck 20th-minute shot from the edge of the box but the hosts levelled from the penalty spot 15 minutes later after Ethan Mannion handled a free-kick in the box.

And Albion paid the price for a below-par 15 minutes after the break as Zamaretto League Division One Midland outfit Town romped into a three-goal lead.

Ashley Lovell added to the visitors' woes when he was sent-off 15 minutes from time for a raised elbow.

But Keith Downing's side were boosted by the return of Romaine Sawyers, who got 25 minutes under his belt as a substitute on his return from a knee injury.

"We lost control of the game after we took the lead and the game turned into a scrappy affair," said Downing.

"They used their physicality at set-plays and got on top of us.

"We showed too few moments of bright football - but credit must go to Sutton as well.

"It was a very good learning curve for a very young side against adults, all-be-it amateurs."

ALBION: Tebbutt, Lovell (sent off 75), Mulholland, Grier, Connolly, O'Neil, Lynch, Fowler, Mannion, Nabi (Sawyers 65), Roofe (Berahino 45). Subs not used: Allsop (gk), Waghorn, Gayle.

PIC: COMEBACK KID...Sawyers gets 30 minutes under his belt on return from knee injury

Subscribers to our SMS breaking news service got this story first. To sign up, simply text CLUB WBA to 88442 (texts cost 25p each) or click here.