Albion were narrowly beaten 3-2 at Southampton in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Leo Scienza and Adam Armstrong (2) earned the Saints the spoils, despite Karlan Grant’s strike and a late Nat Phillips header threatening a spirited comeback.
The hosts went ahead inside 12 minutes through Scienza, who finished off a quick counter-attacking move.
And that lead was doubled soon after, when Armstrong took advantage of a defensive error and slotted home.
Callum Styles did threaten twice for Albion, seeing his first shot go wide and another well saved.
But Southampton fended off the visitors, and instead managed to notch their third before the break as Armstrong secured his brace via another smart finish.
The Baggies began the second period brightly, and pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute via Karlan Grant’s low effort.
Isaac Price’s flick - which was saved - nearly got them within one seconds later.
And barrage of headers by Krystian Bielik, Phillips and Jayson Molumby somehow didn’t find the net either, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu saving twice and a Saints defender diverting the other over.
However, Phillips did finally convert a chance five from the end to make things interesting.
Sam Iling-Junior went close during stoppage time, yet he couldn’t quite grab that equaliser and Southampton just about held on to win 3-2.
Albion: Wildsmith, Bielik, Phillips, Mepham, Iling-Junior, Diakite (Johnston), Mowatt (Molumby 39), Styles, Price (Dike 90), Heggebø, Grant.
Substitutes: Griffiths, Campbell, Gilchrist, Bany, Bostock, Maja.