Albion’s Under-21s fell to a late defeat against Bromley in the Premier League Cup on Monday night.
First-half goals from Jamal Mohammed and Remar McNeil put the hosts two up within 20 minutes, although Bromley pulled one back through Jedd Hobbs not long after.
After a lively second period and several missed opportunities, the Baggies looked to be heading towards a narrow victory. However, Ravens substitute Freddie Wiltshire struck a late brace in the 87th and 93rd minutes to secure all three points for the visitors against the run of play.
Albion made a fast start at the Alexander Stadium, taking the lead with a simple set-piece in the 13th minute. Matty Crowther delivered a corner kick straight to Mohammed, who didn’t even have to jump as he guided the ball into the bottom corner.
The Baggies made it two just after the 20-minute mark with a swift counterattack. Nathan Dlamini broke forward and set Rio Parmar through one-on-one. Rex Porter saved Parmar’s shot, but it rebounded to the feet of McNeil, who slotted home with ease to double the advantage.
However, the visitors found a way back into the game when, with 26 minutes on the clock, Hobbs slid the ball past Ben Cisse from roughly 15 yards out, halving the deficit.
Albion tried their best to reinstate their two-goal advantage, but Porter in the Bromley goal made three exceptional saves to keep the hosts at bay just before the break.
Leigh Downing’s side began the second half in a similar vein and could’ve extended their lead on multiple occasions before the clock hit the hour mark, but the closest they came was when Trialist A hit the crossbar from 18 yards.
The game looked to be petering out as it approached the closing stages, however, completely against the run of play, Bromley pulled level with just a couple of minutes left on the clock, as Wiltshire made the most of some hesitant defending from a corner, turning the ball home as it bounced in the box.
Albion again had chances to score, coming closest when Alfie Maughan hit the crossbar. Parmar was also close to netting a late winner, but he couldn't quite get his head on Trialist B's cross.
And they were made to rue their missed chances when, in the third minute of extra time, the visitors snatched all three points - with Wiltshire guiding the ball home from close range.
ALBION: Cisse (GK), Maughan, Mohammad, Shaw, Letlat, McNeil (Trialist B 67), Gompe (Blackshields 39), Crowther, Dlamini, Parmar, Trialist A (Seven-Seven 67).
Substitutes: Rutter (GK), Lucas, Asomugha.
