Albion exited the Carabao Cup at the second-round stage after an agonising 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United on Wednesday evening.
Isaac Price sensationally fired the Baggies ahead midway through the first period, but goals from Bazoumana Toure and Harvey Barnes looked to have turned the tie around.
Price’s penalty did haul James Morrison’s side level, yet Barnes struck again to break Albion hearts and give Newcastle a hard-earned win.
The head coach made six changes to his team in the middle of a testing three-game week. Conor Townsend, Barney Stewart, Rabby Nzingoula, Alex Williams and Chris Mepham all came in for their first starts of the season, while there was also a debut for goalkeeper Matt Ingram.
United created two early chances as Joe Willock fired inches wide and Lewis Hall had a volley saved.
However, Albion grew into it and caused their Premier League hosts problems. JJ Morgan and Price saw shots well blocked, before the latter was shortly handed another opportunity via a free-kick.
And it was the Northern Ireland international’s creative thinking that put the Baggies one-up - his curled effort catching Ewen Jaouen out and giving the visitors the lead.
Morgan then dragged an attempt wide when Albion tried to quickly double their advantage. Soon enough, though, Newcastle increased the pressure and found an equaliser. Toure met a wicked cross and tapped home, ensuring it was 1-1 at the interval.
The hosts introduced former Baggie Barnes for the second 45 and he made an immediate impact, converting Newcastle’s second following a goal-mouth scramble.
Albion had to hang in there and defend resolutely to stay in the game - Willock notably shooting just off-target during a tricky spell.
The exciting game took a turn once more 13 minutes from time, Hall handballing inside the box and the referee awarding Morrison’s men a penalty. Price stepped up to score his second spot-kick in four days, levelling proceedings again and setting up a grandstand finish.
Sadly, it was Newcastle who grabbed the fifth and final goal. Barnes swept past Ingram within the final stages and they navigated a late Albion surge to reach round three.
Albion: Ingram, Williams, Campbell, Mepham, Townsend, Whitwell (Bany 80), Nzingoula (Styles 70), Diakite (Molumby 70), Price (Bostock 80), Morgan (Horn Myhre 70), Stewart.
Substitutes: O’Leary, Phillips, Galves, Crowther.
