Albion Under-21s were narrowly beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers on their PL2 travels on Monday evening.
Despite their early chances, Leigh Downing’s outfit were left trailing at halfway, as Dani Ángel’s header put the hosts ahead at Aggborough Stadium.
Rio Parmar’s long-range pearler had the visitors back on level terms in the second period, but their efforts were undone by a late Tom Edozie goal in Worcestershire.
The club’s academy hopefuls return to league action in a week’s time when they head to Blackburn Rovers on Monday, October 26 (ko 7pm).
The young Baggies crafted plenty of opportunities for themselves in the early stages, Ryan Colesby’s drilled attempt kissed the gloves of Josh Gracey from a tight angle before cannoning off the upright.
Wolves had a spell midway through the first period which eventually resulted in their opener. Midfielder Xu Bin couldn’t find the target with a header or driven strike - while goalkeeper Ben Cisse was called into action with a reflex save at his near post.
In the end, it was Ángel who headed the hosts into the lead; he rose highest at the near post to flick away the opener - and Nathan Dlamini couldn’t change the Baggies’ first-half fortunes as he hit the bar in response.
The second half brought a change in emphasis from the hosts, with them searching to extend their advantage through the likes of Edozie and Temple Ojinnaka, who both watched chances fly off-target.
Still, Albion looked to wrench control of a frantic PL2 clash, and Rio Parmar took the visiting fortunes into his own hands as he chopped inside from the left and unleashed a stunning right-footed strike into the top corner to level the scores.
However, it took a late, low shot from Edozie, which nestled in the bottom corner, to regain Wolves’ lead and seal the young Baggies’ fate in the process.
Albion: Cisse; Maughan, DuPont, Shaw, Letlat; Tunde (Seven-Seven 63’), Colesby (Dexter 90’), Crowther, Dlamini (Lucas 70’); Parmar, Bany (Trialist 63’).
Substitutes: Rutter, Perkins, Blackshields.
