Albion Under-21s were knocked out of the National League Cup with a narrow defeat to Truro City on Tuesday evening.
Leigh Downing’s youngsters had chances against senior opposition, but left The Truro City Stadium empty-handed after Omar Bogle’s goal just four minutes from time.
The late goal means the club’s academy scholars finished fourth in Group D with a total of five points, their highest tally since first entering the competition in 2024/25.
The hosts, second in the Enterprise National League South, had the better of the action in the first half. Ben Starkie’s early effort struck the crossbar, while Tom Dean came close with a free-kick.
There was some reprieve from the defensive work for Downing’s hopefuls, none more so than when Jaiden Francis-Caesar broke away from the Tinners’ back-line, but found goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe in the way of his attempt.
Arguably the best chance of the half came the way of the sixth-tier outfit, Connor Riley-Lowe’s marauding run down the left produced a cross to be met by Starkie, who could only fire into the stand behind the goal from close range.
Nathan Dlamini led Albion’s attempts to wrestle control of Tuesday’s cup tie in the second period, firing wide after a mazy run.
But Truro continued in their pursuit of an opener as Tom Tweedy found centre-half Antonio Perkins willing to head away his powerful effort from range.
In the end, it was Truro's No.37 who set up the game’s telling moment. He found substitute Bogle at the back post, leaving the former Baggies academy striker to rise highest and head home the winner - condemning the visitors to late heartbreak and exit from the competition.
Albion: Wallis; Mohammed (Trialist B 88’), Perkins, Shaw, Maughan (c); McNeil (Trialist A 78’), Gompe, Blackshields, Dlamini; French (Dexter 89’), Francis-Caesar (Seven-Seven 67’).
Substitutes: Rutter, Lucas.
