Albion's youngsters delivered an impressive showing against Stoke City on Sunday afternoon, but were held to a 1-1 draw by the Potters at the bet365 Stadium.
Torin Ntege opened the scoring in the Staffordshire sunshine very early on before the hosts hit back through Favour Fawunmi towards the middle of the first period.
A bright first 45 probably didn't provide Albion's young hopefuls the scoreline they deserved at the halfway mark.
It started brilliantly for them, with Ntege anticipating a poor header back from a City defender to steal possession, race clear into the box, and finish confidently into the bottom corner to give the visitors a fourth-minute lead.
Sadly, their good start was undone 15 minutes later - Fawunmi positioning himself in the right place to capitalise on some sloppy play at the back from the Baggies to fire in a leveller for the hosts.
Still, it didn't affect Downing's team, who continued their dominance over proceedings. Jaiden Francis-Caesar fired an inviting Ntege cutback wide of the target before joining team-mate Souleyman Mandey in finding Stoke stopper Caleb Clothier in inspired form - keeping both Albion players' goal-bound efforts out from inside the box.
Midfielder Kevin Mfuamba had a glorious chance to restore the advantage after seizing the ball back and charging towards goal. But, from the edge of the box, he fired over the target - ensuring honours were even at the break.
The away outfit continued their push for the contest's third goal after the restart. Stoke were fortunate not to be reduced to ten when Mandey powered through and was brought down, but a Potters defender escaped what could very easily have been a red card.
The hosts then had two opportunities to take the lead. Brian Okonkwo made an crucial stop to deny goalscorer Fawunmi, but the ball fell kindly to Chinonso Chibueze who looked destined to score. Thankfully for Albion, he nodded wide with the goal gaping.
Downing's side went agonisingly close to making it 2-1 inside the final 20. Miller McDonald sprinted from his own half into the Potters box, only to see his one-on-one effort saved by Clothier.
Jack Bray and Souleyman Mandey both could've been the matchwinners in the dying stages. Bray connected with Deago Nelson's lofted ball over the top, but could only poke straight at City's 'keeper, while Mandey, just moments later, had the chance to score from three yards, yet saw Clothier come out to smother the ball at his feet, meaning the fixture finished level.
ALBION: Okonkwo, Nelson, DuPont, Mohammed, Humphries, Crowther, Mfuamba, Ntege (Bray 76'), Mandey, Letlat, Francis-Caesar (McDonald 65').
Subs: Brady (GK), Maughan, Ranger.
